4th Grade Math Help: 5 Ways to Conquer Factors and Multiples

3. T-Charts

One method kids can use to visually figure out factors is a T-chart. Draw a capital T, and write the number above it. On the left side of the T will be the smaller factors; on the right will be the larger ones. Factor pairs will be directly across from each other. Let’s use 20 as an example. On the left side will be 1, 2, 4; on the right will be 20, 10, 5. Any factor that’s a square (such as 4 for 16) can be written on both sides.

4. The Rainbow Connection

Another way to derive factors is to create a rainbow chart.

Let’s go back to our example of 20. Write the factors across: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20. Then draw a curved line from the 1 to the 20, from the 2 to the 10, and from the 4 to the 5. The result should look like a rainbow, and it’s a good way to remember that the larger and smaller the factors, the higher the line will climb.

Three good tips with this method: 1 will always be the first factor, the number itself will be the last factor, and if the number is even, 2 will be the second factor.

5. Factor Notebook

Challenge your fourth grade student to use either T-charts or rainbows to create a factor notebook. Instruct him or her to figure out the factors for every number to 100. This will be less of a cheat sheet (after all, your kids still will need to derive factors on the fly) and more of a reference guide that will come in handy for 4th grade math help as well as for concepts, such as GCFs and prime numbers, that they will eventually be taught.

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Divisibility rules driving your child crazy? (We have some math hacks for those!)

Or, is it geometric figures, multi digit dividends, place value understanding, or unit fractions?

Fourth grade math can be challenging for many students. The curriculum takes all basic math skills learned to this point and requires mastery in them as shifting to higher-level concepts. (Hello, tricky word problem!). Crucial skills are developed, as your child continues to build the skills needed for pre-Algebra and Algebra.

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