Max Maths, Year 4, Learn together, Mental multiplication (2)

In the Max Maths programme for Year 4, students are encouraged to enhance their mental arithmetic skills, particularly focusing on mental multiplication strategies. One of the exercises asks students to find half of given numbers mentally. For example, when halving the number 280, the process is simplified by breaking down the number into 28 multiplied by 10. Students then halve the number 28 to get 14, and subsequently multiply this by 10 to find that half of 280 is 140. This method of breaking numbers down into smaller, more manageable components is a key strategy in mental arithmetic and helps students to calculate quickly and accurately without the need for written computation.

Another mental multiplication strategy explored in the programme involves multiplying a number by 4. The method taught is to double the number twice. Taking the number 34 as an example, students first double the tens (2 × 30 = 60) and then double the ones (2 × 4 = 8). Adding these together gives 68. To complete the multiplication by 4, they double the number 68, resulting in 136. Therefore, 34 multiplied by 4 equals 136. Similarly, to find half of 320, the number is viewed as 32 multiplied by 10. Halving 32 gives 16, which, when multiplied by 10, results in 160. These mental techniques are essential for developing quick and efficient calculation skills, allowing students to solve mathematical problems with confidence.