Maryland Math 4.AT.A.4.a
The Standard
- 4.AT.A.4
- Solve multistep problems in context involving whole numbers and having whole number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted.
Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity.
Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · REPRESENT AND SOLVE PROBLEMS INVOLVING MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students turn multiplication and division stories into equations with a letter for the missing number. They identify whether the letter stands for the total, the number of groups, or the amount in each group. They solve and check that the answer fits the story.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given 24 pencils packed equally into 6 boxes, a student writes 6 × p = 24 and finds p = 4. They explain that p is the number of pencils in each box and check with 6 × 4 = 24.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may write 6 + p = 24 for a story about 6 equal groups of pencils. They may use p as a label for pencils rather than an unknown number. They may also mix up the number of groups with the amount in each group.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: “There are 32 crayons in 4 equal boxes. How many crayons are in each box?” Write an equation with c for crayons per box, solve it, and check.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have pairs share 24 counters among 6 paper cups, then write 6 × c = 24 to show counters per cup.
Ask, “A coach packs 30 balls, 5 per bag. What does b mean in 5 × b = 30, and why?”
Play a matching game with equal-group story cards and equation cards, including 4 × n = 28 and 28 ÷ 4 = n.
Hand out a mock receipt showing three identical notebooks for $18; students write 3 × n = 18 and find one notebook’s price.
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Printable 4.AT.A.4.a Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 7.AT.C.8.c
Solve word problems leading to equations of these forms and interpret the solution in terms of the context.
- 7.AT.C.8
Use variables to represent quantities and write and solve equations to model and reason about relationships in context.
- 3.AT.A.2.a
Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity.
- 6.AT.C.8.a
Explain that a variable can represent an unknown number and use substitution to determine whether a given number makes an equation true.
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