Multiplication
Method 1 - Counting Using Fingers
A method of helping children learn times tables from counting, is to count fingers.
e.g. 2 x 3
2 x 3 should be seen as 2 lots of 3.
Step 1: Ask the child to hold up 3 fingers.
Step 2: Count across the 3 fingers 2 times, to give the answer: 6.
e.g. 3 x 4
3 x 4 should be seen as 3 lots of 4.
Step 1: Ask the child to hold up 4 fingers.
e.g. 3 x 4
3 x 4 should be seen as 3 lots of 4.
Step 1: Ask the child to hold up 4 fingers.
Step 2: Count across the 4 fingers 3 times, to give the answer: 12.
Method 2 - Partitioning
Partitioning can be used when multiplying larger numbers.
e.g. 23 x 3
Step 1: Partition the larger number into tens and units:
T U
2 3 x 3 = 2 0 x 3 + 3 x 3
Step 2: Multiply the units:
3 x 3 = 9
Step 3: Multiply the tens:
2 0 x 3 = 6 0
Step 4: Add the tens and units together to find the answer:
6 0 + 9 = 69
Method 3 - Short Multiplication
Short multiplication is a compact method of vertical multiplication.
e.g. 32 x 6
Step 1: Write the calculation vertically:
3 2
6 x
Step 2: Multiply the units:
As 6 x 2 = 12, the units are written down under the units column and the ten is carried over into the tens
column (hint: this is similar to vertical addition carrying!)
3 2
6
1 x
2
Step 3: Multiply the tens:
Don't forget to add on the ten that has been carried over!
3 2
6
1 x
1 9 2
This method also works for larger numbers:
e.g. 423 x 7
Step 1: Write the calculation vertically:
4 2 3
7 x
Step 2: Multiply the units:
As 7 x 3 = 21, the units are written down under the units column and the tens are carried over into the
tens column.
4 2 3
7
2 x
1
Step 3: Multiply the tens:
7 x 2 = 14. Carry over tens into the hundreds column as appropriate.
Don't forget to add on the tens that have been carried over!
4 2 3
7
1 2 x
6 1
Step 3: Multiply the hundreds:
As this is our last multiplication in this calculation, we will not carry over anymore tens, but rather write the
answer to the multiplication down.
Don't forget to add on the tens that have been carried over!
4 2 3
7
1 2 x
2 9 6 1
Method 2 - Partitioning
Partitioning can be used when multiplying larger numbers.
e.g. 23 x 3
Step 1: Partition the larger number into tens and units:
T U
2 3 x 3 = 2 0 x 3 + 3 x 3
Step 2: Multiply the units:
3 x 3 = 9
Step 3: Multiply the tens:
2 0 x 3 = 6 0
Step 4: Add the tens and units together to find the answer:
6 0 + 9 = 69
Method 3 - Short Multiplication
Short multiplication is a compact method of vertical multiplication.
e.g. 32 x 6
Step 1: Write the calculation vertically:
3 2
6 x
Step 2: Multiply the units:
As 6 x 2 = 12, the units are written down under the units column and the ten is carried over into the tens
column (hint: this is similar to vertical addition carrying!)
3 2
6
1 x
2
Step 3: Multiply the tens:
Don't forget to add on the ten that has been carried over!
3 2
6
1 x
1 9 2
This method also works for larger numbers:
e.g. 423 x 7
Step 1: Write the calculation vertically:
4 2 3
7 x
Step 2: Multiply the units:
As 7 x 3 = 21, the units are written down under the units column and the tens are carried over into the
tens column.
4 2 3
7
2 x
1
Step 3: Multiply the tens:
7 x 2 = 14. Carry over tens into the hundreds column as appropriate.
Don't forget to add on the tens that have been carried over!
4 2 3
7
1 2 x
6 1
Step 3: Multiply the hundreds:
As this is our last multiplication in this calculation, we will not carry over anymore tens, but rather write the
answer to the multiplication down.
Don't forget to add on the tens that have been carried over!
4 2 3
7
1 2 x
2 9 6 1