By: Andy Nelson Breaking down the numbers to make it easier… Instructions: 1.Press the down arrow on your keyboard to move from step to step. 2.Use the up arrow if you want to go back

The numbers you multiply are called factors. 5 x 2 = 10 8 x 3 = 24 4 x 4 = 16

The answer to a multiplication problem is the product. 6 x 2 = 12 3 x 5 = 15 4 x 6 = 24

Don’t you think it is easier to multiply when one of the factors is a 2, 5, or 10? It is easier…much easier. You most likely have mastered skip-counting by 2, 5, and 10. Go ahead, try it in your head right now, by 2’s, then 5’s, and 10’s. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, … 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, … 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, …

Since it is easier to skip count by 2, 5, and 10 let’s break down (decompose) a larger number to an easier number to multiply with. Lets look at the fact 8 x 7 = __ You could make this problem easier by breaking down (decomposing) the 8 into a 5 and a 3. Example: 8 = x 7 = 35 3 x 7 = 21 Once you break down (decompose) the 8 you multiply each part by the other factor (7). Then you add the two products together = 56

Let’s Practice Try multiplying by decomposing the 12 in this equation: 12 x 6 = __ 1.12 = Multiply 10 and 2 by the other factor (6)  10 x 6 = __, and 2 x 6 = __ 3.Add the products of the above equations to get your answer:  = x 6 = 72 Instructions: Complete each step on paper then hit the down arrow

1.8 x 8 = ___  5 x 8 = ___ and 3 x 8 = ___  ____ + ____ = ____ 2.12 x 9 = ___  10 x 9 = ___ and 2 x 9 = ___  ____ + ____ = ____