Mississippi Math 4.NBT.4

Math4th GradeNumber and Operations in Base Ten2 (NBT) Generalize Place Value Understanding for Multi-Digit Whole Numbers

The Standard

Fluently add and subtract (including subtracting across zeros) multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.

2025 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Mathematics · Use Place Value Understanding and Properties of Operations to Perform Multi-Digit Arithmetic

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students line up digits by place value and use written steps to add and subtract large whole numbers. They trade between places when needed, including through zeros.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student solves 4,586 + 2,739 = 7,325 and 5,003 − 1,768 = 3,235, showing each trade. They check the subtraction by adding 3,235 and 1,768.
Common Misconceptions: Some students line up numbers by the left edge instead of the ones place. When subtracting across zeros, they may stop at a zero or subtract the smaller digit from the larger digit in each column.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, ask students to solve 4,586 + 2,739 and 5,003 − 1,768, showing every trade. Have them check the subtraction with addition.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Use place-value disks to model 5,003 minus 1,768, trading across the zeros, then record each trade in columns.
Ask students to write a note explaining how to trade through the zeros in 4,000 minus 1,658, with a sketch of the columns.
Give partners cards labeled 7,003 and 2,857; each subtracts, then checks their partner's work by addition to earn a point.
Give students a library inventory of 10,005 books with 2,678 checked out; ask how many remain and how to verify the count.

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