standard_description: Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.
Grade 4 expectations in this domain are limited to whole numbers less than or equal to 1,000,000.
problem_activity: Narrative
This Number Talk prompts students to use place value and properties of operations to multiply single-digit numbers by multiples of ten. The strategies elicited here help students develop fluency.
Launch
Display one expression.
“Give me a signal when you have an answer and can explain how you got it.”
1 minute: quiet think time
Activity
Record answers and strategy.
Keep expressions and work displayed.
Repeat with each expression.
Student Facing
Find the value of each expression mentally.
\(4\times40\)
\(8\times40\)
\(7\times40\)
\(9\times40\)
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
“How were you able to use
\(4\times40\)
to find the other products.” (I doubled
\(4\times40\)
to find
\(8\times40\)
. Once I knew
\(4\times 40\)
, I could count up or down by 40 to get the other products.)
Consider asking: “Why might it be helpful to first think of each expressions as multiplying a number and 4 instead of 40?” (We know many multiplication facts for 4, and that 40 is 4 tens. We can think of each problem as groups of 4 tens instead of groups of 40.)


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