Build the Largest or Smallest Value from Digit Cards
To maximize (or minimize) a number, product, quotient, or mixed number, place the biggest available digits in the places that carry the most weight. The reasoning starts with whole numbers, then governs products and quotients (where a small divisor enlarges the result), decimals, and mixed numbers. It is place-value comparison turned into an optimization strategy.
grade 2–4 NBTNFOA Make a Systematic ListGuess and Check
Progression (7)
2-2 1. Count numbers built from digit cards 4.NBT.A.2
3-1 2. Big digits in high places 2.NBT.A.43.NBT.A.2
3-1 3. Place digit cards for largest or smallest product 3.NBT.A.33.OA.B.5
3-1 4. Place big digits high to maximize a decimal 4.NF.C.74.NF.C.6
3-2 5. Place big digits high for largest product 3.OA.C.73.NBT.A.3
4-1 6. Smaller divisor makes a bigger quotient 4.NBT.B.6
4-2 7. Build largest and smallest mixed numbers from cards 4.NF.B.3