Year 4 Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division
30 October 2026 · Pi Leo Academy
Watch this Pi Leo Academy lesson on YouTube. Pause whenever you want to try a step yourself.
A long calculation can look less intimidating when you break it into sensible parts. The aim of this Year 4 guide is to help your child choose a method, explain it and check the result. Speed can come later; start with understanding.
Choose the operation from the situation
Addition combines amounts or finds a total. Subtraction can find what is left or the difference between amounts. Multiplication is useful for equal groups. Division can share a total equally or find how many equal groups fit into it.
Read the whole problem before deciding. A single word such as “more” is not enough to choose an operation reliably. Ask, “What do I know, and what am I trying to find?” A small drawing can help.
Worked example: split a multiplication
There are 24 pencils in each box. How many pencils are in four boxes?
- The boxes are equal groups, so calculate 4 × 24.
- Split 24 into 20 and 4.
- Calculate 4 × 20 = 80 and 4 × 4 = 16.
- Add the parts: 80 + 16 = 96 pencils.
This method works because each of the four boxes contains 20 pencils plus four more. Both parts must be multiplied by four. A drawing of four rows, each split into 20 and four, makes that relationship visible.
Use a method that suits the numbers
For 398 + 27, you might move two from 27 to 398: 400 + 25 = 425. The total stays the same. For 425 − 27, subtract 20 and then seven: 405 − 7 = 398.
For 84 ÷ 4, split 84 into 80 and four. Then 80 ÷ 4 = 20 and 4 ÷ 4 = 1, so the answer is 21. If you use a written column method, line up ones with ones, tens with tens and hundreds with hundreds.
Check by reversing the operation
Addition and subtraction can check each other: 398 + 27 = 425, so 425 − 27 should return 398. Multiplication can check exact division: 21 × 4 = 84, confirming 84 ÷ 4 = 21.
A common error is to split a number but forget one part. In 4 × 24, doing only 4 × 20 leaves out four groups of four. Write both smaller calculations before combining them.
Your turn
- Calculate 36 × 3 by splitting 36 into tens and ones.
- Share 96 counters equally into four groups. How many are in each group?
Answers: 1. 108: 30 × 3 = 90 and 6 × 3 = 18; 90 + 18 = 108. 2. 24 counters; check with 24 × 4 = 96.
Ask which method felt clearest and why. A child who can explain the steps has a useful starting point for the next problem.
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