Division and Multiplication A Match Made in Heaven

Please click on the thumbnail to enlarge the photo.

This student shows why a great understanding of basic multiplication is so vital to solving division problems. By knowing the simple factor pairs shown (15 X 1 =15 15 X 2 =30...) and knowing the relationship of these to larger landmark factor pairs (15 X 10=150 15 X 20=300), this division problem becomes an absolute snap to complete correctly. I highly advise students to write the first several multiples, and a few larger landmark multiples, of the divisor when solving almost any division problem.

Multiplication and Division RELATED? :-}

The two scans above, starting with the top scan (uh, not the pug), represent some of the most efficient strategies around when it comes to multiplication and division. Perhaps, the best thing about these strategies is that most of the calculations can be carried out mentally and do not rely on the rote memorization of many math "facts". Truly, this is how most mathematicians think, smarter not harder!

Parents, students, fellow countrymen, and all other living beings, please challenge yourself to see if you can find the beauty in this kind of thinking. You may just find your inner math geek after all!

As a footnote, I wish that I could say that I "hired" a student to write this for me, but that would not be honest. I wrote this myself! Bad hand writers of the world unite! We shall rule.

PLEASE COMMENT!

T-Cubed