4th Grade · Number & Operations in Base Ten
4.NBT.B.6: Divide by a one-digit number, with remainders, like 87 ÷ 5
4.NBT.B.6 is a 4th grade Common Core math standard in Number & Operations in Base Ten. Here’s what it really covers, and how you can help your students learn it.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
The standard
Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.
In plain words
Divide by a one-digit number, with remainders, like 87 ÷ 5.
Sample questions from student practice
These questions from Bobby's Math Club are the kinds of questions your students will see. You can try answering them to see what a student might see.
Question 1 of 3
What is 87 ÷ 5?
- 17
- 17 R 2
- 17.2
Where students can get stuck
- Leaving a remainder bigger than the divisor, such as 87 ÷ 5 = 16 remainder 7, when 7 holds another 5.
- Dropping a zero in the answer, so 624 ÷ 6 becomes 14 instead of 104.
- Skipping the check by multiplying back, so 1,452 ÷ 6 = 232 goes unnoticed though 232 × 6 is only 1,392.
Effective teaching strategies
- Model 87 ÷ 5 with base-ten blocks by making groups of 5 until fewer than 5 remain, and ask why a leftover of 7 means more groups can still be made.
- Have students split 624 ÷ 6 into 600 ÷ 6 and 24 ÷ 6, so they see there are zero tens and the answer needs a zero as a placeholder.
- Ask students to check by multiplying the answer by the divisor and adding any remainder, which shows 232 cannot be 1,452 ÷ 6 when 232 × 6 is only 1,392.
Units that teach this standard
Find where 4.NBT.B.6 lands in the program you teach. Each unit has a guide written for families. Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence.
Bridges in Mathematics
enVision Mathematics
Everyday Mathematics
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics
Into Math
Math Expressions
Reveal Math
Don’t see your curriculum? Contact Bobby and we’ll see if we can help!
Share it with families
Families can read Dividing with remainders, like 87 ÷ 5 for a plain-language look at this skill, with three questions to try together and ideas for helping at home.
Help every student practice place value at home
In Bobby's Math Club, students practice 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 for every family.
See how it works for teachers
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.