After studying multiplication in equal groups, what should 4th graders be expected to learn next?

After mastering multiplication in equal groups, students in 4th grade should move on to multiplicative comparisons. This concept builds on their understanding of multiplication by emphasizing how multiplication relates to comparing different quantities. In multiplicative comparisons, students learn to solve problems that involve determining how many times one quantity is compared to another, which naturally extends their understanding of multiplication as repeated addition.

For example, if students know that 3 groups of 4 apples are equivalent to 12 apples, they can use this foundation to compare and relate the number of apples in different scenarios. By focusing on multiplicative comparisons, students enhance their problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of how multiplication can be applied in real-world contexts. This progression aligns well with their previous learning and prepares them for more complex mathematical concepts that they will encounter in later grades.