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Grade 4 Mathematics

Term 3 CAPS Mathematics Concepts Framework. A colourful, learner-friendly study hub for numbers, operations, fractions, patterns, geometry, measurement and data handling.

Grade 4Term 3MathematicsCAPS-aligned

Term 3 Mathematics Concept Overview

This hub helps learners revise the important Grade 4 Term 3 Mathematics concepts. Each section gives clear explanations, examples, vocabulary and practice prompts that can later be linked to digital worksheets.

1. Whole Numbers and Place Value 2. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division 3. Numeric Patterns 4. Common Fractions 5. 2-D Shapes, 3-D Objects and Symmetry 6. Measurement: Length, Mass, Capacity and Time 7. Perimeter and Area 8. Data Handling
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1. Whole Numbers and Place Value

Place valueNumber valueRoundingExpanded notation

Whole numbers are counting numbers without fractions or decimals. In Grade 4, learners work with larger numbers by understanding the value of each digit.

Key idea: A digit’s value depends on its position. In 4 386, the 4 means 4 thousands, the 3 means 3 hundreds, the 8 means 8 tens and the 6 means 6 ones.

Skills to practise

  • Read and write numbers in words and symbols
  • Identify place value and number value
  • Compare and order numbers
  • Round numbers to the nearest 5, 10, 100 and 1 000
  • Write numbers in expanded notation

Examples

  • 3 742 = 3 000 + 700 + 40 + 2
  • 6 895 rounded to the nearest 100 = 6 900
  • 5 208 is greater than 5 028
Study question

Write 7 463 in expanded notation and round it to the nearest 10, 100 and 1 000.

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2. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division

CalculationsMental mathsProblem solvingChecking

Learners use the four operations to solve number problems. They should practise mental strategies, written methods and checking answers.

Examples: Addition combines amounts. Subtraction finds the difference. Multiplication means equal groups. Division means sharing or grouping equally.

Important strategies

  • Break numbers into parts
  • Use doubling and halving
  • Use multiplication facts
  • Estimate before calculating
  • Check with the inverse operation

Vocabulary

  • Sum: answer to addition
  • Difference: answer to subtraction
  • Product: answer to multiplication
  • Quotient: answer to division
Activity: Solve a word problem involving money, groups or objects. Show the number sentence, calculation and final answer with a unit.
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3. Numeric Patterns

RulesSequencesInput-output

Numeric patterns are number sequences that follow a rule. Learners identify the rule, continue the pattern and explain how the pattern changes.

Key idea: Always look at what happens from one term to the next. The rule may involve adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing.

Pattern examples

  • 5, 10, 15, 20, 25: add 5
  • 96, 88, 80, 72: subtract 8
  • 3, 6, 12, 24: multiply by 2

Skills

  • Continue patterns forwards and backwards
  • Describe the rule in words
  • Complete missing numbers
  • Create your own pattern
Study question

Complete the pattern and describe the rule: 14, 21, 28, ___, ___, ___.

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4. Common Fractions

Equal partsEquivalent fractionsComparingFractions of groups

A fraction shows equal parts of a whole or equal parts of a group. Learners must understand fraction names, diagrams and number sentences.

Example: If a pizza is cut into 8 equal slices and 3 slices are eaten, then 3/8 of the pizza was eaten.

Skills to practise

  • Name halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, sixths and eighths
  • Recognise equal parts
  • Compare fractions using diagrams
  • Find fractions of a collection
  • Work with equivalent fractions

Important words

  • Numerator: top number
  • Denominator: bottom number
  • Equivalent: equal in value
  • Whole: one complete object or group
Remember: The denominator tells how many equal parts the whole is divided into. The numerator tells how many parts we are talking about.
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5. 2-D Shapes, 3-D Objects and Symmetry

ShapesObjectsLines of symmetryProperties

Geometry helps learners describe and compare shapes and objects. Learners look at sides, corners, faces, edges, vertices and symmetry.

2-D shapes

  • Triangle
  • Square
  • Rectangle
  • Circle
  • Pentagon
  • Hexagon

3-D objects

  • Cube
  • Rectangular prism
  • Sphere
  • Cylinder
  • Cone
  • Pyramid
Symmetry: A line of symmetry divides a shape into two matching parts. Some shapes have one line of symmetry, some have many, and some have none.
Study question

Choose three 3-D objects and describe the number of faces, edges and vertices of each.

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6. Measurement: Length, Mass, Capacity and Time

UnitsMeasuring toolsConversionsReal life

Measurement is used in everyday life. Learners estimate, measure, compare and calculate using standard units.

Common units

  • Length: mm, cm, m, km
  • Mass: g, kg
  • Capacity: ml, l
  • Time: seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years

Measuring tools

  • Ruler and measuring tape
  • Scale
  • Measuring jug
  • Clock, calendar and timetable
Examples: 100 cm = 1 m, 1 000 m = 1 km, 1 000 g = 1 kg, 1 000 ml = 1 l.
Activity: Estimate and measure the length of five classroom objects. Record the answer in centimetres and metres where possible.
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7. Perimeter and Area

AroundSurfaceSquaresReal-life problems

Perimeter is the distance around a shape. Area is the amount of surface inside a shape. Learners can use grids, counting squares and simple measurements to understand both concepts.

Perimeter

Add all the side lengths around the shape.

Example: 6 cm + 4 cm + 6 cm + 4 cm = 20 cm.

Area

Count the number of square units covering the surface.

Example: A rectangle covering 12 small squares has an area of 12 square units.

Important: Perimeter is measured in units such as cm or m. Area is measured in square units.
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8. Data Handling

CollectOrganiseRepresentInterpret

Data handling means collecting information, organising it and using it to answer questions. Learners should work with tally tables, pictographs, bar graphs and simple questions about graphs.

Steps in data handling

  • Ask a question
  • Collect information
  • Record data using tallies or tables
  • Draw a graph
  • Answer questions using the graph

Questions to answer

  • Which has the most?
  • Which has the least?
  • How many altogether?
  • What is the difference?
  • What conclusion can you make?
Study question

Survey ten learners about their favourite fruit. Create a tally table and a bar graph, then write three sentences about your results.

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