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4th Grade Inequalities Resources

12 4th grade inequalities resources: 4 worksheets, 3 test prep, 3 assessments and more. How teachers use these

4th Grade Inequalities Resources

12 4th grade inequalities resources: 4 worksheets, 3 test prep, 3 assessments and more. How teachers use these

Activity
Activity4th GradeLet's Compare Fractions Activity

This let's compare fractions activity is a card game for 3rd to 5th grade where students compare fractions with bar models and record each match. Answer key included.

4th GradeMathFractionsActivities
Video
Video4th GradeGreater Than Less Than Inequalities Song
4th GradeMathCardinal NumbersSongs
Activity
Activity4th GradeDealing Decimals Activity

In this Dealing Decimals Activity, students compare two decimals to hundredths by reasoning about their size using the symbols >, <, or = by playing War!

4th GradeMathDecimalsActivities
Workbook
Workbook4th GradeSmarter Balanced (CAASPP / SBAC) 4th Grade Math Practice Test Workbook

A Smarter Balanced (CAASPP / SBAC) 4th grade math practice test workbook for teachers, with a pretest, skill practice for all 38 standards, mixed review and 2 full-length practice tests. Answer key included, so test prep is ready to go.

4th GradeMathExpressions & EquationsTest Prep
Worksheet
Worksheet4th GradeComparing Fractions Word Problems Worksheet

A comparing fractions word problems worksheet that asks 4th graders to compare fractions of the same whole using greater than, less than, and equal to, then explain and order their answers. Answer key included for fast, no-prep practice.

4th GradeMathFractionsWorksheets
Worksheet
Worksheet4th GradeFour Digit More or Less Worksheet

This four digit more or less worksheet helps 4th grade students compare numbers written as numerals, words, and expanded form using less than, greater than, and equal. An answer key is included.

4th GradeMathInequalitiesWorksheets
Workbook
Workbook4th GradeNew Jersey NJSLA-A 4th Grade Math Practice Test Workbook

A NJSLA-A 4th grade math practice test workbook for teachers, with a pretest, skill practice for all 30 standards, mixed review and 2 full-length practice tests. Answer key included, so test prep is ready to go.

4th GradeMathExpressions & EquationsTest Prep
Worksheet
Worksheet4th GradeThousands More or Less Worksheet

The Thousands More or Less Worksheet has 4th grade students compare four-digit numbers and name the place value that decides each answer. An answer key is included for quick, confident checking.

4th GradeMathInequalitiesWorksheets
Worksheet
Worksheet4th GradeComparing Numbers M&M's Subtraction Worksheet

Using thisComparing Numbers M&M's Subtraction Worksheet, students compare the amounts of different color M&M's in their group.

4th GradeMathInequalitiesWorksheets
Common Core Lesson
Common Core Lesson4th Grade4.NF.2 Fourth Grade Common Core Lesson

In this 4.NF.2 Fourth Grade Common Core Lesson, students Compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators with symbols >, =, or <.

4th GradeMathFractionsCommon Core Lessons
Workbook
Workbook4th GradeColorado CMAS 4th Grade Math Practice Test Workbook

A CMAS 4th grade math practice test workbook for teachers, with a pretest, skill practice for all 41 standards, mixed review and 2 full-length practice tests. Answer key included, so test prep is ready to go.

4th GradeMathExpressions & EquationsTest Prep
Common Core Lesson
Common Core Lesson4th Grade4.NF.7 Fourth Grade Common Core Lesson

In this 4.NF.7 Fourth Grade Common Core Lesson, students compare two decimals to hundredths by reasoning about their size using the symbols>, =, or < by playing War!

4th GradeMathDecimalsCommon Core Lessons
From our teachers' playbook

Greater, less, or exactly equal?

What do 4th graders learn about inequalities?

In 4th grade, the greater than and less than signs get a serious workout! Kids compare big whole numbers by lining up place values: 4,582 > 4,528 because 8 tens beat 2 tens. Then they move on to fractions with different denominators, using benchmarks like one half or common denominators: 3/8 < 2/3. They also compare decimals to the hundredths, like 0.7 > 0.45, and learn why a longer decimal isn't always bigger. The click moment is when kids stop guessing and start explaining why one number wins.

Our favorite ways to teach inequalities

Fourth graders are ready to justify their answers, not just pick a sign. These moves get them reasoning out loud.

Prove it to a partner

Put two fractions on the board, like 5/6 and 3/4, and ask each pair to pick a sign and prove it. One partner draws a model, the other explains. When kids have to convince someone, they catch their own mix-ups, like thinking a bigger denominator means a bigger fraction.

Why it works: when kids say the precise math words, their understanding gets sharper, a recommendation of the U.S. Department of Education's elementary math guide.

Let's Compare Fractions ActivityTry it withLet's Compare Fractions ActivityActivitiesOpen it →

Sing the signs

Kids still flip the signs in 4th grade! A catchy song about the open mouth eating the bigger number is a quick warm-up that sticks. Play it once at the start of the lesson, then have kids make the signs with their arms as you call out pairs of numbers.

Why it works: a catchy, repeating tune gives the brain a hook to hang words on, so sung text is remembered better (Wallace, 1994).

Greater Than Less Than Inequalities SongTry it withGreater Than Less Than Inequalities SongSongsOpen it →

Model the word problem first

Read a comparing word problem aloud and think through it: "Sam ate 2/5 of a pizza and Mia ate 1/2. Who ate more? I'll compare each to one half." Work the next one together, then hand over the third. Kids learn to slow down and set up the comparison before they choose a sign.

Why it works: showing first, practicing together, then letting kids try alone is the "gradual release" model teachers have relied on for decades (Pearson and Gallagher, 1983).

Comparing Fractions Word Problems WorksheetTry it withComparing Fractions Word Problems WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Make inequalities feel like play

A little competition makes comparing numbers a lot more fun. Try these in centers or at the kitchen table.

Dealing Decimals ActivityActivities

Decimal showdown

Each player flips cards to build a decimal to the hundredths. Bigger decimal wins the round, but only if you say the sign out loud!

Open Dealing Decimals Activity →Four Digit More or Less WorksheetWorksheets

Four digit face-off

Roll four dice, build the biggest number you can, and compare with a partner using greater than or less than.

Open Four Digit More or Less Worksheet →Thousands More or Less WorksheetWorksheets

Thousands more or less

Call out a number and a change, like "1,000 more than 6,245!" Kids race to write it and compare it to the start.

Open Thousands More or Less Worksheet →

What's on this page

4 Worksheets3 Test Prep3 Assessments3 Workbooks2 Activities2 Common Core Lessons1 Song1 Video

Teacher favorites right now: Let's Compare Fractions Activity, Greater Than Less Than Inequalities Song and Dealing Decimals Activity.

Questions parents and teachers ask about 4th grade inequalities

What are inequalities in 4th grade?

In 4th grade, inequalities mean comparing two numbers with greater than, less than or equal signs. Kids compare multi-digit whole numbers, fractions with different denominators and decimals to the hundredths.

How do you compare fractions with different denominators?

Rename them so they share a denominator, or compare each one to a benchmark like one half. For 3/8 and 2/3, 3/8 is less than one half and 2/3 is more, so 3/8 is smaller.

Why do kids think 0.45 is bigger than 0.7?

They see more digits and assume bigger. Have them write 0.7 as 0.70 and compare hundredths: 70 hundredths beats 45 hundredths. A quick sketch on a hundreds grid makes it obvious.

How can I help my child remember which sign is which?

Tell them the open side always faces the bigger number, like a hungry mouth. Practice with quick oral pairs in the car, and have them explain why, not just point.

Keep exploring

4th Grade Math ResourcesInequalities Resources

Written by the Have Fun Teaching team of elementary teachers and homeschoolers. Research: U.S. Department of Education, What Works Clearinghouse (2021). Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades. Wallace, W. T. (1994). Memory for music: Effect of melody on recall of text. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 20(6). Pearson, P. D., & Gallagher, M. C. (1983). The instruction of reading comprehension. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 8(3).