3rd and 4th grade math skills: a checklist for parents
Grades 3–44 min read
Third and fourth grade are big years in math. Kids move from adding and subtracting into multiplication, division and fractions, and the written methods get longer.
This checklist sums up the main skills in plain language. It follows the broad shape of the Common Core standards used in many states and the Texas standards (TEKS), which line up closely for these grades, with a few differences noted below. Your child’s school may order things a little differently, so treat it as a map, not a test.
Third grade: the main skills
Adding and subtracting within 1000
Third graders are expected to add and subtract three-digit numbers fluently, including carrying and borrowing. Borrowing across a zero, like 400 − 168 = 232, is usually the hardest part.
Every step, the way the pad explains it
- Subtract the ones: 0 is smaller than 8, so borrow. The tens is 0, so take 1 from the hundreds: 4 becomes 3, each 0 in between becomes 9, and 0 becomes 10. Now 10 − 8 = 2. Write 2.
- Subtract the tens (now 9 after borrowing): 9 − 6 = 3. Write 3.
- Subtract the hundreds (now 3 after borrowing): 3 − 1 = 2. Write 2.
Rounding to the nearest 10 or 100
Rounding is used for estimating, which is the best everyday check on an answer. 368 rounds to 370 (nearest ten) and 400 (nearest hundred).
What multiplication and division mean
Before the facts, kids learn that 4 × 6 means four groups of six, and that 24 ÷ 6 asks how many groups of six fit in 24. Arrays (rows and columns of dots) and equal groups come up a lot.
Multiplication facts from memory
By the end of third grade, the goal is to know the single-digit facts by heart, along with the matching division facts. See our times tables practice plan.
Fractions as numbers
Third graders learn that 1/4 is one of four equal parts, put fractions on a number line, and compare simple fractions like 1/3 and 1/4. They are not usually adding fractions yet.
Area, perimeter and time
Finding the area of a rectangle by counting squares and then by multiplying, finding perimeter by adding the sides, and telling time to the minute.
Quick checks for third grade
- Can they solve 503 − 267 on paper and check it by adding?
- Can they answer 7 × 8 or 6 × 9 without counting up?
- Can they tell you that 3 × 5 and 5 × 3 give the same answer, and draw why?
- Can they show 3/4 by shading a shape, and say whether it is more or less than a half?
- Can they estimate 289 + 412 by rounding before working it out?
Fourth grade: the main skills
The standard methods for adding and subtracting
Fourth graders use the standard column method for any size of whole number. Our guides to carrying and borrowing across zeros cover both.
Multiplying bigger numbers
Multiplying up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number, and a two-digit number by a two-digit number. For example, 1236 × 4 = 4944. Many classes use partial products or area models first. Our multi-digit multiplication guide compares the methods.
Every step, the way the pad explains it
- Multiply 4 × 6 = 24. Write 4, carry 2.
- Multiply 4 × 3 = 12, plus the carried 2 = 14. Write 4, carry 1.
- Multiply 4 × 2 = 8, plus the carried 1 = 9. Write 9.
- Multiply 4 × 1 = 4. Write 4.
Dividing with remainders
Dividing up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number, with remainders. For example, 3456 ÷ 8 = 432 and 3459 ÷ 8 = 432 R 3. Our long division guide walks through the steps.
Every step, the way the pad explains it
- Divide: 8 doesn't go into 3, so use 34. How many times does 8 go into 34? 4. Write 4 above the 4.
- Multiply 4 × 8 = 32. Write 32 under the 34.
- Subtract: 34 − 32 = 2.
- Bring down the 5 next to the 2 to make 25.
- Divide: how many times does 8 go into 25? 3. Write 3 above the 5.
- Multiply 3 × 8 = 24. Write 24 under the 25.
- Subtract: 25 − 24 = 1.
- Bring down the 6 next to the 1 to make 16.
- Divide: how many times does 8 go into 16? 2. Write 2 above the 6.
- Multiply 2 × 8 = 16. Write 16 under the 16.
- Subtract: 16 − 16 = 0. Nothing is left over — no remainder. Answer: 432.
Equivalent fractions and adding like fractions
Seeing that 1/2, 2/4 and 4/8 are the same amount, comparing fractions with different denominators, and adding or subtracting fractions with the same denominator, like 3/8 + 2/8 = 5/8. Different denominators usually come in fifth grade; see adding fractions with unlike denominators.
Decimals
Writing tenths and hundredths as decimals (3/10 is 0.3, 25/100 is 0.25) and comparing them. Here the two sets of standards differ a little: the Texas standards also ask fourth graders to add and subtract decimals to the hundredths, while Common Core states usually save decimal arithmetic for fifth grade.
Factors, multiples, angles
Finding the factors of a number, recognizing multiples and primes, and measuring angles with a protractor.
Quick checks for fourth grade
- Can they multiply 46 × 23 and explain why the second line starts with a 0?
- Can they divide 857 by 6 and check the answer by multiplying back?
- Can they tell you whether 2/3 or 3/4 is bigger, and how they know?
- Can they explain why 0.5 is bigger than 0.25, even though 25 is bigger than 5?
- Can they list all the factors of 24?
If you find a gap
Almost every child has a few. The skills that cause the most trouble later are usually the earlier ones: place value and multiplication facts. If your fourth grader is struggling with long division, it is worth checking whether the facts or the subtraction are the real problem.
Spend a little time each day on the gap, keep it low pressure, and mention it to the teacher. Our posts on place value and math anxiety may help.
Where this comes from
This list is a summary, not the official wording. If you want to read the standards themselves, the Common Core math standards are published at thecorestandards.org, including the grade 4 number and operations section. The Texas standards for grade 3 and grade 4 are in the Texas Administrative Code.
MathPad’s practice sets are generated by grade and topic, so you can build a short set for any skill on this list. The practice pages give a quick overview of each skill.
Questions parents ask
- What math should a 3rd grader know by the end of the year?
- Adding and subtracting within 1000, multiplication and division facts from memory, rounding to the nearest 10 or 100, the meaning of simple fractions, and area and perimeter of rectangles.
- What math do 4th graders learn?
- Multi-digit multiplication, long division with one-digit divisors, equivalent fractions, adding fractions with the same denominator, decimals to hundredths, factors and multiples, and measuring angles.