standard_description: Recognize that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents in the place to its right. For example, recognize that 700 ÷ 70 = 10 by applying concepts of place value and division.
Grade 4 expectations in this domain are limited to whole numbers less than or equal to 1,000,000.
problem_activity: Narrative
This warm-up prompts students to analyze an example of subtraction using both the standard algorithm and expanded form. The numbers require decomposing multiple units, which are shown in both strategies. The observations here prepare students to later reason with similar subtraction problems in which more than one decomposition is needed.
Launch
Groups of 2
Display subtraction calculations.
“What do you notice? What do you wonder?”
1 minute: quiet think time
Activity
“Discuss your thinking with your partner.”
1 minute: partner discussion
Share and record responses.
Student Facing
What do you notice? What do you wonder?
A
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B
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Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
“How are the two examples alike? How are they different?” (In the second one the numbers are written in expanded form, including the numbers that show regrouping.)
“We’ve seen subtraction problems with decomposed units before. How are these different?” (In the problems we have seen so far, only one place needed to be decomposed in order to subtract. In these examples, more than one place needs to be decomposed.)


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