Multiplication and Division in Maths

We are proud to show our excellent understanding of multiplication and division across the school. Children move from comparing groups of objects to identifying amounts of equal groups. This then leads to children understanding how to find the product of a multiplication equation and its inverse equation. Following on from this, children are able to use their understanding of multiplication and division to solve a range of problems.

Comparing Groups in Reception

In Reception they have been learning to compare two groups of objects using concrete resources such as Numicon, Unifix cubes and everyday objects. Through this the children have been introduced to the language of more than, less than, fewer, the same as and equal to. This use of vocabulary then prepares them for the introduction to multiplication and division in KS1.

Introducing Multiplication in Year 2

In Year 2, children have been using repeated addition to begin their understanding of multiplication. They were then able to use language such as lots of and multiplied by to help them to understand the meaning of a multiplication equation. This led them to be able to give the product or identify the multiplication equation for a product. To help support their understanding children are able to draw a picture to illustrate a multiplication story.

Formal Division in Year 4

In Year 4, as we move to developing a formal written method for division, we start by grouping concrete resources such as Base 10 (Dienes) and then Place Value counters, rapidly moving to pictorial representations of these. The children manipulate these in a written division structure alongside the expanded written method. In this way, they can explore concepts such as renaming and remainders, building their confidence. Soon, many children will have mastered the abstract written method also through this process, but be able to use the pictorial method to support them when presented with ‘tricky’ questions.

Understanding Percentages in Year 6

In Year 6, we use multiplication and division to support our understanding of percentages. We use the relationship between fractions and percentages to identify if we need to divide by 2, 4, 5, 10 or 100. Once we are able to find 1%, 5%, 10 % and 25% we can then use these answers to help us to find 3%, 30% and 75%.