Story problems that compare two amounts with times: one has 3 times as many as the other. Your child decides whether to multiply or divide, then solves.
Draw one bar for the smaller amount and the same bar several times for the bigger. Know the smaller amount? Multiply. Know the bigger one? Divide it by the number of times.
times as manycopies of the smaller amount
bar modela drawing that shows amounts as bars
multiplyfind the bigger amount from the smaller
dividefind the smaller amount from the bigger
Watch for: Multiplying every story, even when the bigger amount is already given. Adding the numbers (9 + 2) instead of multiplying (2 × 9). Answering with the wrong person's amount.
At home: Compare ages with times: if Grandpa is 70 and your child is 10, he is 7 times as old. Ask your child to check it with 7 × 10.
Sample sheet and answer key
Luna's Space Adventure
Grade 4 · Comparing with times · 4.OA.A.2
NameDate
Astronaut Luna is exploring a far-off corner of space. Solve each problem to help Luna's mission go smoothly!
Times as many stories
Draw a bar model: one bar, then the same bar several times.
1
Orion has 6 space snacks. Zed has 9 times as many as Orion. How many space snacks does Zed have?
space snacks
2
Max has 36 moon rocks. That is 9 times as many as Zed has. How many moon rocks does Zed have?
moon rocks
3
Nova has 5 star stickers. Orion has 2 times as many as Nova. How many star stickers does Orion have?
star stickers
4
Max has 80 space snacks. That is 8 times as many as Nova has. How many space snacks does Nova have?
space snacks
5
Nova has 7 space snacks. Zed has 4 times as many as Nova. How many space snacks does Zed have?
space snacks
Sheet
Luna's Space Adventure
Grade 4 · Comparing with times · 4.OA.A.2
Answer key
Astronaut Luna is exploring a far-off corner of space. Solve each problem to help Luna's mission go smoothly!
Times as many stories
Draw a bar model: one bar, then the same bar several times.
1
Orion has 6 space snacks. Zed has 9 times as many as Orion. How many space snacks does Zed have?
9 × 6 = 54
54space snacks
2
Max has 36 moon rocks. That is 9 times as many as Zed has. How many moon rocks does Zed have?
36 ÷ 9 = 4
4moon rocks
3
Nova has 5 star stickers. Orion has 2 times as many as Nova. How many star stickers does Orion have?
2 × 5 = 10
10star stickers
4
Max has 80 space snacks. That is 8 times as many as Nova has. How many space snacks does Nova have?
80 ÷ 8 = 10
10space snacks
5
Nova has 7 space snacks. Zed has 4 times as many as Nova. How many space snacks does Zed have?
4 × 7 = 28
28space snacks
Answer key
New problems every time, three levels (gentle, core and stretch), themes to pick from, a second page if you want one. Each sheet comes with an answer key and a one-page guide for grown-ups.
