Saxon Math Grade 4, Section 1: Place Value to One Million & Operations
In this unit, your child builds a strong base with whole numbers up to one million. They learn how each place is ten times the next; read, write, and compare large numbers; and add and subtract them with the column method. It opens the year and leads into multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Section 1?
- Using money and place value to see that 10 ones make a ten, 10 tens a hundred, and 10 hundreds a thousand. Learn more: Why each place is worth ten times the next
- Reading and writing numbers through the hundred thousands with commas, and comparing them with > and <. Learn more about reading and writing numbers up to a million: Reading and writing numbers up to a million · Learn more about comparing numbers up to a million
- Adding columns of large numbers and subtracting with regrouping, including across zeros, with steady practice. Learn more about adding numbers up to a million: Adding numbers up to a million · Learn more about subtracting numbers up to a million
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Compare 40 thousands and 4 ten thousands. Which is true?
- 4 ten thousands is more
- They are equal
- 40 thousands is more
How you can help
- Ask how many $10 bills make $100, and how many $100 bills make $1,000. Talk about how each is worth ten times the one before.
- Read numbers aloud from a receipt, a sign, or the news, like 702,016. Have your child write it in words and say what each digit is worth.
- Add up three prices from a store flyer together in a column, like $127, $348, and $89, and then subtract the total from $600.
Where kids can get stuck
- Writing "seventy thousand twenty" as 7,020, unsure how many zeros to write.
- Subtracting across zeros, like 600 − 564, and writing 164 instead of 36.
- Comparing 89,450 and 102,300 by their first digits, so the smaller number seems larger.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- place value
- The value a digit has because of its place in a number.
- digit
- Any of the symbols 0 through 9 used to write numbers.
- period
- A group of three places, like the thousands period, set off by commas.
- word form
- A number written in words, like "three thousand four hundred five."
- algorithm
- A step-by-step method for solving a problem, like adding numbers in columns.
- regroup
- To trade 10 of one place for 1 of the next, like 10 tens for 1 hundred.
- sum
- The answer to an addition problem.
- difference
- The answer to a subtraction problem.
Want to help your child master adding and subtracting large numbers?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Saxon Math Grade 4 Section 1 cover?
Saxon Math Grade 4 Section 1 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.