Maryland Math 4.AT.A.4

4.AT.A.4 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• 4.AT.A.4.a

  Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity.

• 4.AT.A.4.b

  Assess the reasonableness of answers in terms of context, including interpreting remainders.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students solve story problems that take more than one step using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. They write equations with a letter for the unknown, decide what any remainder means, and check whether the answer makes sense.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

For 53 students and 5 adults in eight-seat vans, a student writes 53 + 5 = 58, 58 = 8 × 7 + 2, and v = 7 + 1 = 8. They explain that the last two riders need another van and check that eight vans have enough seats.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may divide before adding the adults who also need seats. They may report seven vans and ignore the two riders left over. Others round up every remainder, even when the question asks how many full groups can be made.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: You have 55 crayons, set 5 aside, and put the rest in boxes that hold 6. How many boxes do you need? Write equations using b for the number of boxes and explain the remainder.

1. 01

   Give pairs 29 counters and cups that hold 4; remove 3 counters, fill cups, and write equations for the cups needed.

2. 02

   Ask: 38 students arrive, then 3 leave. Each van seats 8. Are 4 vans enough? Show an equation and explain.

3. 03

   Give pairs cards showing 35 pencils, 3 used, and 6 per cup; race to write an equation and decide cups needed.

4. 04

   72 sandwiches arrive; 9 go to staff. Trays hold 8 sandwiches. Have students calculate trays for the rest and explain the partly filled tray.

• 7.NOS.A.3

  Solve multistep problems involving positive and negative rational numbers in any form (i.e., fractions, decimals, percents) using all four operations.

• 7.NOS.A.1.d

  Model and solve multistep contextual problems involving addition and subtraction of rational numbers, using efficient and flexible strategies.

• 3.AT.A.2

  Use the four operations to solve two-step problems in context (within number limits for each operation as stated in 3.NOS.B and 3.NOS.D).

• 7.NOS.A.2.e

  Model and solve multistep contextual problems involving multiplication and division of rational numbers, using efficient and flexible strategies.