Lesson Plan

Identify the three quantities in a multiplicative comparison word problem (the larger quantity, the reference quantity, and the comparison factor) and determine which quantity is unknown

Write a multiplication or division equation with a symbol for the unknown to represent a multiplicative comparison word problem

Solve multiplicative comparison word problems in all three unknown positions: unknown product (larger quantity), unknown factor (comparison factor), and unknown group size (reference quantity)

Distinguish a multiplicative comparison problem from an additive comparison problem and select the correct operation accordingly

Assess the reasonableness of an answer by checking whether the result makes sense given the comparison type (e.g., "times as many" should produce a larger number when the product is unknown)

4.OA.A.2

4.OA.A.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.