Max Maths, Year 6, Learn together, Mental multiplication (2)

In the Max Maths Year 6 curriculum, students are encouraged to refine their mental arithmetic skills by learning efficient methods for mental multiplication. One such exercise involves finding half of a given number mentally. For instance, to find half of 320, one can break the number down into 32 multiplied by 10. By halving 32, which is 16, and then multiplying the result by 10, students can easily determine that half of 320 is 160 without the need for written calculations or a calculator.

Another mental multiplication technique taught is how to multiply a number by 4 using mental strategies. The process involves doubling the number twice. For example, to multiply 34 by 4, students first double the tens (2 × 30 = 60) and then double the ones (2 × 4 = 8). They combine these two results (60 + 8 = 68) to get the doubled number, and then double this result once more. Doubling 68 (double the tens: 2 × 60 = 120, double the ones: 2 × 8 = 16) and adding these together (120 + 16) gives the final answer of 136. Therefore, 34 multiplied by 4 equals 136, demonstrating to students a practical way to perform more complex multiplication mentally.