What your learner will practice
Multi-step thinking. Fourth graders practice larger numbers, fractions, decimals and multi-step reasoning. Encourage estimation as a way to check answers.
With mixed operations in Grade 4, the goal is to build understanding and to explain the method, not just get a number. Take breaks and repeat short sessions when needed.
How to solve mixed operations problems
- 1Notice parentheses and multiplication before addition or subtraction when appropriate.
- 2Solve one step at a time and write the intermediate result.
- 3Read the expression again and verify with a different strategy.
Common mistake to watch for
Avoid solving strictly left to right when parentheses or multiplication change the order.
Try these six examples
Read each question, solve on paper, and then check the answer. The full printable sets below provide 20 new problems each.
- 10 x 3 + 17 = ______ Answer: 47
- 10 x 6 + 32 = ______ Answer: 92
- 10 x 7 + 22 = ______ Answer: 92
- 8 x 4 + 8 = ______ Answer: 40
- 2 x (2 + 12) = ______ Answer: 28
- 5 x 12 + 22 = ______ Answer: 82
Helpful teaching idea
Underline the first operation before calculating.
Ask for a strategy before computation. Show how to check a result with the reverse operation.