Multiplication Games for Kids

Overview of Multiplication

The term “multiplication” is a derivative of word “multiple”. The word literary refers to “many” and the operation “multiplication” extends a number by “many” times. Akin to “addition”, the “multiplication” is a form of repeated addition.

A multiplication equation looks like following expression:

                         4        x         7       =      28

               Multiplicand           Multiplier            Product

The various math symbols are used as multiplication operators, such as a cross (x), asterisk (*) or dot (.).

After kids acquire the knowledge of number-sense and counting skills in hundreds, the advanced math operations “multiplication” and “division” are assimilated by fluent addition and subtraction of numbers.

Multiplication Math Games for Kids

Progressing towards the applicability of addition and subtraction, interactive math games for multiplication are designed to foster math skills based on mental computation and keen observation.

1. Learning & Outcome

The application of knowledge to solve math puzzles, routine calculations or riddles manifests abstract reasoning and math logic. With practice and language comprehension, multiplication games hone the concept of aggregating objects from different groups into a single group. In an eclectic manner, meticulously designed games employing visual techniques and mental strategies nurture basic concepts of math operations to excel in math.

The expected learning outcomes are listed as follows:

• Introduction to the basics of advanced core math operations for solving complex problems with multiplication
   
• Researching the techniques of multiplication using distinct visual models and methods to implement the concept
   
• Identifying the numeric quantities and framing math expressions with multiplicand, and multiplier using math symbols to solve word problems and obtaining the product
   
• Comprehending the multiplication process for large numbers up to 4-digits, fractions, and decimals
   
• Correlating the significance of “multiplication” as a core math skill in the field of geometry, physics, and allied fields

2. Required Math Skills:

The level of complexity in advanced math skill “multiplication” is higher than addition and subtraction. As the process is akin to repeated addition, fluency in number-sense to comprehend numbers in hundreds & thousands along with the “addition” is a pre-requisite. Language comprehension and numerical reasoning in terms of operator-precedence play an important role in grasping the concept of “multiplication” fundamentally.

3. Engagement:

Fun learning games for SplashLearn aligned with the “common core math standards” curriculum yield an opportunity for kids to sharpen the computation skills during classroom teaching or homeschooling.

Comprehensive worksheets with prolific questions are tailored to extend the purview to math homework help. With an engaging theme-based interface to motivate and apply the complex techniques on numbers, the games substantially boost the confidence in kids to excel in math.

Manipulatives Used for Teaching Multiplication

1. Array Model Using Counters:

The use of counters to learn multiplication is an effective method to easily relate to the concept. As the counters are used for comprehending basic math skills “addition” and “subtraction”, explicating the process of multiplication as “repeated addition” using counters is highly congenial.

Also, the arrangement of counters for multiplication is similar to an array, with an equal number of elements in each row and column. The respective model of multiplication is known as the array model.

For example:

• Multiply 4 and 7 using counters:

2. Base 10 Blocks:

Employing distinct visual models to understand a math operation enable to construct a cognitive model and deepens the learning for the later grades. Base-10 blocks for multiplication relate to the concept very clearly and ease the complexity involved in learning the multiplication of 2-digit numbers.

The numbers are decomposed into blocks of unit “ones”, tens (set of ten “ones”), and hundreds (set of ten “tens”).

For example,

47 can be written as: 4 “tens” + 7 “ones”

Following example illustrates the representation of two-numbers using base-10 blocks and evaluating the product by adding the values obtained in each row or the column.

3. Area Model

Another visual model to understand the process of multiplication is the area model. The strategy chiefly relates to the geometric figures for translating the entire area as an aggregate of unit area tiles. In order to multiply two numbers, the numbers are referred as the length and breadth of a rectangular shape. The decomposition of numbers further as multiple of 10’s and unit ones reduces the overall complexity.

For example:

Multiply 74 by 16

The numbers can be decomposed as: 74 = 70 + 4 and 16 = 10 + 6

Numbers are assigned to the rectangles and the corresponding area is evaluated and added to compute the product as 1184

Progression of Multiplication with Grades

In grade 3, the fundamental aspects of multiplication are nurtured by the process of repeated addition. Using number-sense techniques, identifying the numeric elements and framing a math expression or writing a multiplication table is the core skill for the associated level. Also, positioning the math operation “multiplication” as aggregating the elements within the equal-size groups hones the observation skill to proficiently model the problem using abstract concepts.

In grade 4, the distributive property of multiplication is used to reduce the complexity involved in multiplying large numbers. Using the easier methods such as multiplication of single digit numbers and with multiples of 10, large numbers are decomposed into the sum of smaller numbers. Each addend is multiplied by the multiplier separately and the sum of the products is evaluated as the product of the two numbers.

In grade 5, the knowledge acquired in the previous grades is extended to the multiplication of fractions and decimal numbers. Also, the advanced multiplication methods to multiply a two-digit number by a three-digit number are nurtured. The concepts are corroborated with the application areas such as geometry, conversion of metric units and others.

Honoring the math reasoning and tutoring kids through fun-games results in enhanced learning and aptitude development.

Learning Methodologies for Multiplication

1. Properties of Multiplication

The fundamental properties of multiplication are used to solve the complex problems easily. These properties with respect to a random number “a” and “b” are:

• Multiplicative identity property
• a x 1 = a
• Communicative property
• a x b = b x a
• Associative property
• a x b = (a1 x a2) x b = a1 x (a2 x b)
• Distributive property
• a x B ➔ a x (b +c) ➔ a x b + a x c

The math expressions framed with math symbols and numbers are solved using the above properties for easy computation.

2. Multiplication, Based on Addition Skills

• Multiplication with pictures – The easiest technique to comprehend multiplication is with pictures. The method is highly effective in multiplying 2 single-digit numbers. The pictures are classified as the multiplicand and the multiplier. The sum of the total number of pictures is the product of the two numbers. The basic stationery items such as crayons or pencils can also be used to learn such multiplication.
   
• For example: multiply 4 by 4
   
• The result is 16, evaluated by repeated addition of objects using pictures

• Framing multiplication sentence – The word-problems on multiplication can be solved by identifying the numeric values and framing a valid math expression using math symbols. The math operators or symbols used in such an expression are either just multiplication cross (x) or addition (+), subtraction (–) or division (/) as well.
   
• For example, multiply the first odd two-digit number by the proceeding two digit-number
   
• The equation will be: 11 x 12
   
• Add numbers on a line-plot to multiply – The multiplication method on a line plot is akin to skip-counting. The starting number is the multiplicand and each “skip” of the multiplier value determines the product.

The following figure represents the multiplication of the number “3” with different numbers on a line-plot to easily write a multiplication table.

• The relationship between multiplication and division – The correlation of multiplication with the division is very much similar to that of addition and subtraction. The distinct models of multiplication such as “array” model are employed in “division” as partition model.

Any valid math-expression with multiplication can be reprised as a “division” equation to evaluate the unknown value.

For example: determine the product of 45 and 32

The math expression will be:

45 x 32 =?

45 x 32 = 1440 (using “area” model)

The equation can be written as follows with a division operator: 1440/45 =?

3. Multiplication Using Tables

The development of fundamental knowledge pertaining to multiplication as repeated addition is helpful in writing multiplication tables. A multiplication table is a structured list of numbers in which each number is the product of a constant multiplicand and multipliers from 1 to 10. The multiplication tables are useful in solving division problems as well.

Using multiplication tables, kids can memorize the product of single-digit and two-digit numbers with other numbers for quick math. 

4. Multiplication Based On the Multiplier

The knowledge of number-sense, place-value system and multiples of 10 is conducive in employing quick math tricks for word problems and riddles. The multiplication of fractions and decimal numbers insists on the concept to multiply the numbers and evaluate the correct place of the decimal point along with fluency in “division” skills.

A multiple of 10 such as 1000 can be written as, 103. To multiply a number, like 380 by 1000, the math expression will be:

38 x 10 x 1000

Rewritten as, 38 x 10 x 103

38 x 104 = 380,000

Application: 

The concept of “multiplication” develop in kids during the formative years with addition and subtraction. The basic math skill is applied in visualizing the model as a case of grouping and counting to evaluate the product. With significant contribution in the allied fields such as data interpretation, measurement of physical quantities, the concept is highly useful in comprehending math associated with science and physics.

Multiplication Learning Games for Kids

Multiplication practice games help teach the basic concepts of multiplication through meticulously selected word problems, math puzzles, etc. by correlating it with the concept of counting and grouping. These math multiplication games online are designed as per common core standards while incorporating fun and excitement in the learning process. Interactive multiplication games employ engaging strategies which help students enhance their critical thinking skills, logical reasoning and computational skills.