In an earlier unit, students analyzed and experimented with different ways to multiply multi-digit numbers by single-digit whole numbers. This included analyzing diagrams and series of equations, including those that represented algorithms that use partial products. Students were introduced to the standard algorithm of multiplication and its connections to other ways of reasoning about products, particularly algorithms that use partial products.

This lesson reinforces students’ awareness of the connections between the two algorithms and the role that place value plays in both (MP7). Students practice using the algorithms to multiply a one-digit number by another number up to four digits, building their fluency with multi-digit multiplication. If students need additional support with the concepts in this lesson, refer back to Unit 6, Section B in the curriculum materials.

As in the earlier unit, students are not expected to use the standard algorithm for multiplication, without support, or to independently choose it to find products. They will continue to develop their facility with the standard algorithm in grade 5.