4.OA.A.3 — Solve multistep word problems with the four operations, including remainders.
Cluster: Use the four operations with whole numbers
What this standard asks students to do
4.OA.A.3 is a 4th grade Common Core standard in the Operations & Algebraic Thinking strand. It asks students to: solve multistep word problems with the four operations, including remainders. Teachers typically address it during the use the four operations with whole numbers cluster, alongside the related standards listed below. FoxFish generates printable worksheets, auto-graded quizzes, and flashcard sets aligned to this standard in seconds.
Sample questions aligned to 4.OA.A.3
- Example 1
A bus holds 36. There are 142 students. How many buses are needed?
- Example 2
Pencils are sold in packs of 12. You need 90. How many packs?
- Example 3
5 friends share $238 equally with $3 left over. How much each?
Want a full worksheet? Generate 20 problems aligned to 4.OA.A.3.
Common student mistakes
Build distractors and reteach prompts around the errors students actually make on this standard.
- 1Rushing to an answer without showing the work with pictures or manipulatives — 4th-grade students who skip this stage often can't debug their own errors.
- 2Mis-identifying what the prompt is actually asking. On 4.OA.A.3, teachers see students latch onto surface keywords and pick the wrong operation.
- 3Applying a memorized procedure to a case where it doesn't fit — the classic operations & algebraic thinking trap when problems change form (e.g., A bus holds 36. There are 142 students. How many buses are needed?).
Teacher FAQ
What does 4.OA.A.3 actually ask 4th-grade students to do?
Students are expected to solve multistep word problems with the four. In the use the four operations with whole numbers cluster this shows up when they solve problems and explain their reasoning. Full standard text: "Solve multistep word problems with the four operations, including remainders."
How long should we spend on 4.OA.A.3 in a typical unit?
Plan 5–7 lessons of direct instruction plus ongoing spiral review; students in grades 3–5 usually need multiple exposures across a unit. FoxFish's generator lets you spin up fresh practice each day to keep the reps varied.
What does mastery of 4.OA.A.3 look like on a quick check?
A student who's mastered 4.OA.A.3 can solve multistep word problems with the four on unfamiliar prompts, not just the exact examples they practiced. Try one item like: "5 friends share $238 equally with $3 left over. How much each?" — if they explain their reasoning without prompting, they're solid.
Teacher guides for 4.OA.A.3
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