Written methods for multiplication
To successfully apply written methods for multiplication, children need to be able
to:
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Recall all multiplication facts to 10 x 10.
Partition numbers into multiples of 100, 10 and 1.
Work out products such as 70 x 5, 70 x 50, 700 x 5 or 700 x 50 using the related fact 7x5 and
their knowledge of place value.
Add two or more single-digit numbers mentally.
Add multiples of 10 (such as 60 + 70) or of 100 (such as 600 + 700) using related addition
fact, 6 + 7, and their knowledge of place value.
Add combinations of whole numbers using the column method.
Stage 1: Mental multiplication using
partitioning
Stage 1:
Children begin formal recording to reflect
their mental methods for multiplying TU x U.
They multiply the tens and units separately
and these can then be added to find the total
at the end.
Recording mental multiplication using
partitioning:
14 x 3 = (10 x 3) + (4 x 3)
=
30 + 12
=
42
43 x 6 = (40 x 6) + (3 x 6)
=
240 + 18
=
258
Stage 2: The grid method
Stage 2:
The children are then ready to transfer this
portioning to the grid method.
X
7
This method can be extended to 2 digit
numbers multiplied by 2 digit numbers. It is
very important at this stage that the children
estimate an answer first using the nearest
multiples of ten.
30
210
8
56
210
+56
266
56 x 27 is approximately 60 x 30 = 1800
X
50
6
20
1000
120
7
350
42
1350
+162
1512
Stage 3: Expanded short multiplication
Stage 3:
The next step is for the children to represent
the method of recording in a column format,
but showing the working.
From this stage on, the units are multiplied
first.
30 + 8
x 7
56 7 x 8 = 56
210 7 x 30 = 210
26
56 x 27 is approximately 60 x 30 = 1800
Children should describe what they do by
referring to the actual values of the digits in
the columns. E.g. the second step in 38 x 7
is “thirty multiplied by seven”, not “3 times
7”.
x
56
27
42
350
120
1000
1512
1
7 x 6 = 42
7 x 50 = 350
20 x 6 = 120
20 x 50 = 1000
Stage 4: Short multiplication
The recording is reduced further, with carry
digits recorded below the line.
Stage 4:
38
x 7
266
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˄ The step here involved adding 210 and 50 mentally
with only the 5 and 50 recorded. This highlights the
need for children to be able to add a multiple of 10 to a
two-digit or three-digit number mentally before they
reach this stage.