What are multiplication strategies?

Well, there are several strategies for teaching multiplication, but five of the most commonly used strategies are grouping, arrays, repeated addition, number lines, and skip counting. 

So, each strategy provides a unique perspective on how to visualize and solve multiplication problems. In this blog, we will explore each of these strategies in detail and how they can be used to enhance students' understanding of multiplication.

What are Multiplication Strategies?

1. Grouping: In grouping multiplication strategy, numbers are broken down into smaller groups and then added up. For example, to find the product of 6 x 4, you can break down 6 into 2 groups of 3 and add them up: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.

2. Arrays: The array multiplication strategy involves creating a grid of rows and columns to represent the two factors being multiplied. The number of squares in the grid represents the product. For example, to find the product of 3 x 4, you would create a grid of 3 rows and 4 columns, resulting in 12 squares.

3. Repeated Addition: In repeated addition strategy, you add one number to itself a certain number of times to find the product. For example, to find the product of 5 x 3, you can add 5 to itself three times: 5 + 5 + 5 = 15.

4. Number Lines: The number line strategy involves using a number line to skip count to find the product. For example, to find the product of 2 x 3, you would start at 0 on the number line and skip count by 2 three times to get 6.

5. Skip Counting: Skip counting involves counting by a certain number to find the product. For example, to find the product of 4 x 3, you would skip count by 4 three times: 4, 8, 12.