Multiplication and division - Use Arrays - Presentation

In a mathematics lesson centred around multiplication and division, pupils are encouraged to recap the use of arrays to deepen their understanding of multiplication concepts. Arrays are a visual representation that highlight the commutative property of multiplication, showing that numbers can be multiplied in any order and yield the same product. The term 'commutativity' is explored, prompting students to discuss and reflect on its meaning. Through various activities, students are asked to identify and create arrays that represent multiplication sentences, such as 2 x 6 and 6 x 2, and to consider how these arrays demonstrate that multiplication is commutative.

The lesson includes a series of engaging activities where pupils are tasked with finding and representing arrays using different objects, drawing arrays to match given multiplication sentences, and completing number sentences that describe the arrays. These exercises encourage students to think critically about the structure of arrays and the relationship between the factors and the product. For example, students are asked to draw arrays for 4 x 5 and 5 x 4, as well as 3 lots of 10 and 10 lots of 3, to visually show that these pairs of multiplication sentences result in the same total. Independent work further challenges students to explore the various arrays that can be created with a set number of cubes and to complete calculations that correspond to these arrays, fostering a deeper understanding of multiplication and division through visual representation.