4th Grade · Operations & Algebraic Thinking
4.OA.A.1: Understand "times as many": 35 is 5 times as many as 7
4.OA.A.1 is a 4th grade Common Core math standard in Operations & Algebraic Thinking. 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
Interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison, e.g., interpret 35 = 5 × 7 as a statement that 35 is 5 times as many as 7 and 7 times as many as 5. Represent verbal statements of multiplicative comparisons as multiplication equations.
In plain words
Understand "times as many": 35 is 5 times as many as 7.
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
A man is 6 feet tall. A giraffe is 3 times as tall as the man. Which equation finds g, the giraffe's height in feet?
- g = 3 × 6
- 6 = 3 × g
- g = 3 + 6
Where students can get stuck
- Hearing "5 times as many as 7" and answering 12, because they added 5 and 7 instead of multiplying.
- Reading 35 = 5 × 7 only as "5 groups of 7," without turning it into a sentence that compares two amounts.
- Getting the comparison backwards, as in "7 is 5 times as many as 35," with the smaller number in the larger one's place.
Effective teaching strategies
- Draw a bar 7 units long and another bar 5 times as long, and have students say the comparison aloud: the long bar is 5 times as long as the short bar, or 35 is 5 times 7.
- Ask students to read 35 = 5 × 7 as two comparison sentences, one saying 35 is 5 times as many as 7 and one saying 35 is 7 times as many as 5.
- Set “5 more than 7” beside “5 times as many as 7” using linking cubes, so students see that 12 cubes and 35 cubes are different amounts.
Units that teach this standard
Find where 4.OA.A.1 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
Eureka Math
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics
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 Reading multiplication as "times as many" for a plain-language look at this skill, with three questions to try together and ideas for helping at home.
Help every student practice problem solving 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.