What your learner will practice
Multi-step thinking. Fourth graders practice larger numbers, fractions, decimals and multi-step reasoning. Encourage estimation as a way to check answers.
With decimals in Grade 4, the goal is to build understanding and to explain the method, not just get a number. Take breaks and repeat short sessions when needed.
How to solve decimals problems
- 1Read digits by tenths and hundredths, not just as whole numbers.
- 2Line up decimal points when adding or subtracting.
- 3Estimate and check the number of decimal places.
Common mistake to watch for
Digits must be aligned by decimal place, not by the last digit.
Try these six examples
Read each question, solve on paper, and then check the answer. The full printable sets below provide 20 new problems each.
- 9.9 + 7.6 = ______ Answer: 17.5
- 9.4 - 4.4 = ______ Answer: 5.0
- 6.2 + 5.3 = ______ Answer: 11.5
- 3.6 - 2.4 = ______ Answer: 1.2
- 6.7 + 8.6 = ______ Answer: 15.3
- 2.8 + 5.8 = ______ Answer: 8.6
Helpful teaching idea
Use a money example to see tenths and hundredths.
Ask for a strategy before computation. Show how to check a result with the reverse operation.