Multiplication Fact Fluency Tips

As part of the Teacher Initiatives Council discussion, I was asked to share some key tips to use with students on multiplication fact use.  Our goal is to have students understand the rationale and number sense behind any computation practice, but until the concepts developmentally "click" for them the tips can help them through.  Feel free to use these tips to assist students but always focus on the why computation works message in conjunction with the tips. 

Multiplication Basic Fact Strategies

Strategy for 0:  When multiplying by 0, use the zero property; any factor multiplied by 0 will have a product of 0.

Strategy for 1:  When multiplying by 1, use the identity property; any factor multiplied by 1 will have a product of that same number.

Strategy for 2:  When multiplying by 2, double the other factor.

Strategy for 3: When multiplying by 3, double the other factor and add a group.

Strategy for 4:  When multiplying by 4, double-double the factor.

Strategy for 5:  When multiplying by 5, skip count by 5 or multiply the other factor by 10 and halve the product

Strategy for 6:  When multiplying by 6, use the strategy for 3 and double the product or use the strategy for 5 and add a group.

Strategy for 7:  When multiplying by 7, use the other factor’s strategy or decompose the 7 to strategies you can use.

Strategy for 8:  When multiplying by 8, double-double-double the other factor.

Strategy for 9:  When multiplying by 9, multiply by 10 then subtract a group.

Strategy for 10:  When multiplying by 10, use place value understanding.

Strategy for 11:  When multiplying by 11, use the strategy for 10 and add a group.

Strategy for 12:  When multiplying by 12, decompose to 10 and 2 and use those strategies.