After kids learn multiplication, a typical 4th grade math curriculum then dives into factors and multiples.
Factors are what numbers can be multiplied together to so that they make another number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, and 6 are factors of 6). Multiples are what you get after multiplying a number by an integer (e.g., 20 is a multiple of 4).
Both are important to learn at this age because concepts such as least common multiples (LCM), greatest common factors (GCF), and equations with fractions are just around the corner.
If your child is starting to struggle when it comes to understanding factors and multiples, then it may be time to get them some fourth grade math help!
Here are 5 tricks you can try with your 4th grader if he or she needs to conquer factors and multiples:
1. Skip Counting
Skip counting is simply adding the same number over and over to get the desired result. This is a fundamental and foundational skill to have mastered to understand multiples.
For example, if you were multiplying 4×6, you might add 4+4+4+4+4+4 (that’s 6 times; kids might keep track on their fingers) to get the answer.
As you skip count, you also are identifying multiples – it’s an effective way to learn and remember them!
(Looking for some resources to practice skip counting? A math worksheet is a great way to provide practice! Thinkster Math‘s world-class curriculum includes Skip Counting. A Thinkster Math tutor can provide access to these math concepts so that your fourth grader get develop stronger proficiency in this fundamental skill.
2. Furious Factors
This is a math game you can play in the car when you are stuck in traffic.
It’s simple:
Give your child a two-digit number and ask him or her to list all the factors as quickly as possible. This might be a challenge without pencil and paper (and don’t expect perfection every time), but it does get kids thinking about factors on the spot. You can try this game at home by using to generate a number up to 100 from which to derive factors.
