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Math Multiplication Strategies

by Tonja Taylor  
11/23/2022 / Education

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.--Proverbs 22:6, AMPC

As an educator who virtually tutors elementary and middle-school children, I've found that these simple math strategies increase understanding and confidence in most students. 

When students learn these easy strategies for multiplication, they gain confidence and greater enjoyment of math, which is huge.

• "Ignore the Zeros" - When multiplying any number with a zero on the end--whether it is two digits or more--ignore the zeros at first, and multiply the whole numbers, listing the whole number(s) on the left of the answer line. Then count the total number of zeros on both lines, and just add that many zeros after the whole number(s). It’s always right, and so easy!
• "Round to Ten" - Overall, our brains think easier in multiples of tens. So, if the problem is something like, "29 x 33," you can teach the students to round the numbers; to estimate them. So then, 29 would become 30, and 33 would also round (down) to 30. Then, they can use "Ignore the Zeros" strategy to multiply the whole numbers then add the total zeros after that.  That gives them a number that will be fairly close to the answer, as a guide for the next step, which is "Break It Down." 
• "Break it Down" - Students who can easily muliply one-digit by one-digit numbers, or even two-digit by one-digit numbers may be overwhelmed at first when computing two-digit by two-digit (or more) numbers.  However, you can teach them to break down the two (or more)-digit numbers by place value.  It is helpful, of course, if they already know their place value, but you can use this even if they don't, while teaching them a bit about the value of different number places.                                                                             Let's go back to "29 x 33."  Show them they can just focus on one column at a time. Draw lines to show them the direction again.                              If you think you need to, draw lines between the columns to show the kids how to keep the numbers lined up, and tell them "Math is very picky, and we need to keep all the numbers lined up, and then take our time computing," or something similar.                                                         
•                                                                                                                                The most important thing to help almost any student is to let them know that you care, that you enjoy teaching them, and that you really want to help them.                                                                 

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.

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