Mental Math for multiplication
- A complete guide for mothers-
Multiplication facts ( times tables) are the
backbone of so many skills beyond third
grade, and yet, students continue to struggle
with them well into 4th and 5th grade. We
teach students ways to show multiplication,
we show them all the strategies, and we
master the properties but sometimes kids just
need help memorizing their multiplication
facts( tables like they call them in school :P)
I believe that children need to be equipped
with strategies for solving multiplication facts
before you get into memorization. They
absolutely must have a conceptual
understanding of how multiplication works ,
this will help them discover some of the
mental math strategies on their
own. Memorizing facts isn’t for everyone, and
for some kids, it’s just not a reasonable
expectation, either. Keep that in mind as you
work on multiplication with your youngest
learners.
Tips for Multiplication Fact Memorization
• Memorizing the facts in number order (1,2,3s, etc.) isn’t necessarily
the easiest or best way. Have students memorize the easiest facts and
the facts that they can build upon first. I like to teach them in this
order.
x0
x1
x2
x10
x5
x11
x4
x3
x8
x9
x7
X12
• I give my students a practice of one week for each number, I give
them a mix of activities to practice the same thing over and over
again. Everyday of the week , I will do a jumbled up speed test and
secretly time them for it to assess their progress and speed at the end
of the week. I feel announced timed tests bring a pressure and
demotivates them if they’re not able to finish it within the given time
frame that’s why I don’t like implementing them in any form however
for me , it’s a great win to see they’re speeding as they progress so I
love doing it secretly.
• Include verbal reviews , oral drills help a lot with automacity.
Mental math strategies
• X2
Double the number ! Multiplying by 2 is easy peasy , I
know my doubles .. There is no trouble !
2x4
4+4=8
So , 2 x 4 = 8 !
2x8
8 + 8 = 16
So , 2 x 8 = 16 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 2 !
• X3
Double the number ! And then add a group –
remember multiplication is equal groups ?
3x6
6 + 6 = 12 + 6 = 18
So , 3 x 6 = 18 !
3x9
9 + 9 = 18 + 9 = 27
So , 3 x 9 = 27 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 3 !
• X4
Double the doubles ! That’s 2 times double .. I don’t see
a trouble in that either !
I will double this number
4x3 and then double it again.
6 + 6 = 12
So , 4 x 3 = 12 !
4x7
14 + 14 = 28
So , 4 x 7 = 28 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 4 !
• X5
Just skip count by fives ! 5 , 10 , 15 , 20 …
5x 7
5,10,15,20,25,30,35
So , 5 x 7 = 35 !
5x4
5,10,15,20
So , 5 x 4 = 20 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 5 !
• X6
I know my skip count by fives ! 5 , 10 , 15 , 20 … for 6 I will
just add one group (multiplication equal groups!)
6x 3
15 + 3 = 18
So , 6 x 3 = 18 !
6x6
30 + 6 = 36
So , 6 x 6 = 36 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 6 !
• X7
That’s so easy for me now ! I skip count by 5 and then
add a double (2 groups) , is there a trouble ? … No !
I will skip count by 5 , 6
7x 6 times and then add a
double of 6.
30 + 12
So , 7 x 6 = 42 !
7x9
45 + 18 = 63
So , 7 x 9 = 63 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 7 !
• X8
So much to double ! A little trouble but I can do it ! I will
add the double 4 times !
8x 6
12 + 12 + 12 + 12 = 48
So , 8 x 6 = 48 !
8x3
6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24
So , 8 x 3 = 24 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 8 !
• X9
Count by 10s and then take away a group.. 9 is 1 less
than 10 that’s why we take away one group!
9x 7
70 – 7 = 63
So , 9 x 7 = 63 !
9x3
30 – 3 = 27
So , 9 x 3 = 27 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 9 !
• X 10
Just count by 10s !
10 x 5
10,20,30 , 40 , 50
So , 10 x 5 = 50 !
10 x 10
10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100
So , 10 x 10 = 100 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 10 !
• X11
Just count by 10s and add a group or double the digit !
11 x 6
10,20,30 , 40 , 50,60
60 + 6 = 66
So , 11 x 6 = 66 !
11 x 9
10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90
90 + 9 = 99
So , 11 x 9 = 99 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 11 !
• X12
Multiply by 10 and then add a double.
12 x 3
30 + 6 =36
So , 12 x 3 = 36 !
12 x 9
90 + 18 = 108
So , 12 x 9 = 108 !
This applies to all numbers multiplied by 12 !
Any number multiplied by zero is equal to zero.
Why ? Because zero means there are no groups at all.
Any number when multiplied by 1 , stays the same.
Because there is just 1 group to count.
The End.