Maryland Math 4.AT.A.3

Math4th GradeAlgebraic Thinking

The Standard

Distinguish multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.

Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · REPRESENT AND SOLVE PROBLEMS INVOLVING MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students decide whether a comparison calls for adding a number or multiplying by it. They show each comparison with a drawing, an equation, and words.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student shows that 3 more than 4 is 7, while 3 times as many as 4 is 12. They can explain what the 3 means in each comparison.
Common Misconceptions: Students may add when they read “3 times as many,” getting 7 instead of 12. They may think “3 more than” and “3 times as many” describe the same change.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Mia has 4 stickers. Leo has 3 times as many as Mia, and Nia has 3 more than Mia. How many does each have? Write both equations.

Lesson moves

Give pairs 19 counters and have them build 3 more than 4 and 3 times as many as 4 side by side.
Write “Sam has 5 cards” on the board, then ask students to explain how “2 more” differs from “2 times as many.”
Make cards showing “4 more than 6,” “4 times as many as 6,” 6 + 4, and 6 × 4; have pairs match them.
Show prices of a $4 snack and a $12 lunch, then ask for one “more than” and one “times as much” comparison.

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