4th Grade Math Word Problems
Build student confidence with twenty real-world word problems covering essential fourth-grade math concepts and operations.
Author
Katie Wickliff
Published:
April 2026
Key takeaways
- • By 4th grade, most students have the skills to understand and solve word problems
- • Word problems help students understand the importance of math in daily life
- • Plenty of practice will give 4th graders the confidence they need to tackle more advanced math concepts
By the time they reach 4th grade, most students can read fluently, so instruction shifts from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” In 4th grade math, that means a greater emphasis on word problems. Because they require more than rote memorization, word problems allow students to connect math to the real world. By introducing familiar scenarios, students learn that math really is everywhere! Below, you’ll find 20 word problems that cover a variety of 4th grade math concepts: operations, measurement, fractions and decimals, and place value. We’ve also included an answer sheet for students to check their work. For more specific practice, try Dreambox Math, an interactive program that builds math skills through engaging games and activities.
20 4th Grade Math Word Problems
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
1. Elizabeth buys a swimsuit for $22, shorts for $13, and a tank top for $9. How much does she spend in total?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: $22 + $13 + $9 = $42.
2. Elijah earns $29 and his brother earns $18.50. They want to buy a video game for $54.99. How much change will they receive?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: $29 + $18.50 = $47.50. $54.99 − $47.50 = $7.49.
3. George buys two pizzas with 10 slices each. Four kids share the slices equally. How many slices does each child get?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 2 × 10 = 20 slices. 20 ÷ 4 = 5.
4. A bookcase has 8 shelves with 9 books on each shelf. The librarian adds 12 more books. How many books are there in total?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 8 × 9 = 72. 72 + 12 = 84.
5. A store has 45 bracelets. After selling 14 and buying 11 more, the bracelets are shared equally among 6 friends. How many does each friend get?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 45 − 14 = 31. 31 + 11 = 42. 42 ÷ 6 = 7.
Measurement
6. A rectangular shoebox is 12 inches long and 5 inches wide. What is the perimeter?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: Perimeter = 2(l + w). 2(12 + 5) = 34.
7. Two angles make a straight line. One angle measures 120°. What is the other angle?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 180° − 120° = 60°.
8. True or False: If Collin leaves at 5:53 for a movie at 6:10 and the drive is 25 minutes, he will arrive on time.
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 5:53 + 25 minutes = 6:18, which is late.
9. Kayla needs to arrive at quarter to four. She arrives at 3:45. Is she on time?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: Quarter to four is 3:45.
10. A rectangular garden has a perimeter of 36 feet and a width of 7 feet. What is the area?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: Perimeter = 2(l + w). 36 ÷ 2 = 18. Length = 11. Area = 11 × 7 = 77.
Fractions & Decimals
11. Alice made 24 cookies and gave 4/8 to her team. How many cookies went to her sister?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 4/8 = 1/2. Half of 24 = 12.
12. Eight jars of peanut butter are used in a picnic. Six are used. What fraction remains?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 8 − 6 = 2 remaining.
13. Amir has $16.50 and $34.00. Does he have enough to buy a $53.50 dress?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: $16.50 + $34.00 = $50.50, which is less than $53.50.
14. Which is greater: 0.4 or 0.29?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 0.4 has 4 tenths, while 0.29 has 2 tenths.
15. A pizza has 10 slices. Emma eats 3. Is that 3/4 of the pizza?
Show answer & explanation
Explanation: 3 out of 10 is 3/10, which is less than 1/2.
Place Value
16. In the number 10,922, what does the digit 9 represent?
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Explanation: The 9 is in the hundreds place.
17. In the number 1,365, which digit is in the tens place?
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18. In the number 120, which digit is in the hundreds place?
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19. Write four hundred twenty‑four million, nine hundred fifteen thousand, six hundred thirty‑five in standard form.
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20. Write 6,036,620 in expanded form.
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About the Author
Katie Wickliff
Katie holds a master’s degree in Education, has over 15 years of education experience as a primary classroom teacher, and is Orton-Gillingham certified tutor. Most importantly, Katie is the mother of two primary school students, ages 8 and 11. She is passionate about maths education and firmly believes that the right tools and support will help every student reach their full potential.