Multiplicative Comparisons

Unit Name: Multiplicative Comparisons


Common Core State Standards:


4.OA.1 Interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison, e.g., interpret 35 = 5 × 7 as a statement that 35 is 5 times as many as 7 and 7 times as many as 5. Represent verbal statements of multiplicative comparisons as multiplication equations. 


4.OA.2 Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.


Essential Vocabulary:


• multiplicative comparisons


• multiplication/multiply


• division/divide 


• addition/add


• subtraction/subtract


• compare/comparison


• equation


• unknown


• remainders


• reasonableness


• mental computation


• estimation


• rounding


Unit Overview:


In this unit, students will apply their understanding of place value to help them explore multiple groups or division. Students will utilize their knowledge of base ten and groups of numbers within another number to help them compare quantities or numbers. Students will be asked to not only identify, but will need to verbalize which quantity is being multiplied and which quantity tells how many times it is multiplied. Students will need to illustrate comparative situations with various strategies listed below. In addition,students will need to translate the situation into an equation.


Strategies/Skills:


Students will build on their understanding of addition and subtraction by using place value strategies to make sense of the standard algorithms. They are expected to use a variety of models to support their reasoning about numbers.


• Comparison Bars


• Number Lines



Video Support:


o Comparing numbers using bar models


https://learnzillion.com/lessons/2569-comparing-numbers-using-bar-models


o See multiplication as a comparison using number sentences


https://learnzillion.com/lessons/2543-see-multiplication-as-a-comparison-using-number-
sentences


o Compare numbers using additive and multiplicative comparisons


https://learnzillion.com/lessons/2891-compare-numbers-using-additive-and-
multiplicative-comparisons


o Represent unknown numbers using symbols or letters


https://learnzillion.com/lessons/2744-represent-unknown-numbers-using-symbols-or-
letters


o Solve multiplicative comparison word problems by using bar models


https://learnzillion.com/lessons/2745-solve-multiplicative-comparison-word-problems-
by-using-bar-models


o Solve multiplicative comparison word problems by using bar models to represent divison


https://learnzillion.com/lessons/2851-solve-multiplicative-comparison-word-problems-
by-using-bar-models-to-represent-division


o Solve multiplicative comparison word problems using multiplication or division


https://learnzillion.com/lessons/3017-solve-multiplicative-comparison-word-problems-
using-multiplication-or-division