Multiplication Methods

Children have been taught to double by adding an identical amount.

They have also been taught to double by partitioning numbers into 10s and 1s and doubling each part before recombining.

The children used a counting stick to add repeatedly for their 2x, 5x and 10x tables. They will have recited the sequences forwards and backwards.

The children represented multiplication using manipulatives like cubes. This 'array' shows 2x5 or 5x2.

Previously, the children will have looked at finding multiplication and division facts for a number by creating multiply arrays. Here are 3 examples for the number 12 (12x1,6x2,4x3)

Children used manipulatives to create EQUAL groups when multiplying

Children used different objects to add equal groups

Children used number lines and repeated addition to complete multiplication calculations

Children began to use multiplication fact triangles. Here, you can derrive 4 x 2 = 8, 2 x 4 = 8, 8 ÷ 4 = 2 and 8 ÷ 2 = 4. These are known as multiplication fact families

Starting with counters and moving on to Dienes, children represent calculations using arrays. They start by counting individual cubes but progress to counting in repeated jumps. The example shows 13 x 4 = 52

Children draw the counters to show different amounts or just use the circles in the different columns to show their thinking as shown above.

Pupils start with multiplying by one digit numbers and showing the clear addition alongside the grid. This method is a stepping stone to written multiplication - the product of two 2-digit numbers is not effectively solved using this method

Children should progress to short multiplication (calculations with only 1-digit multipliers).