Multiplying · Grade 4
In Grade 4 you learn: multiplying by multiples of 10; 2-digit × 1-digit multiplication; short multiplication of 3-digit numbers; 4-digit × 1-digit and 2-digit × 2-digit multiplication.
Multiplying puts equal groups together. Once numbers get bigger than the times tables, we split them into parts and multiply each part: the grid method, short multiplication and long multiplication.
Key facts
- Multiplying adds equal groups: 4 groups of 3 is 4 × 3 = 12.
- You can multiply in any order: 3 × 4 = 4 × 3.
- To multiply by a multiple of 10, use a times table fact, then make it 10 times bigger: 6 × 4 = 24, so 6 × 40 = 240.
- Grid method: split both numbers into tens and ones, multiply each pair, then add.
- Short multiplication: multiply each digit by the single digit, starting with the ones, and carry.
Worked examples
Example 1
There are 4 plates with 3 cakes on each plate. How many cakes are there?
Answer: 12
Example 2
A box of chocolates has 3 rows with 5 chocolates in each row. How many chocolates are in the box?
Answer: 15
Example 3
A tricycle has 3 wheels. How many wheels do 6 tricycles have?
Answer: 18
Example 4
24 × 3
Answer: 72
Example 5
A spider has 8 legs. How many legs do 7 spiders have?
Answer: 56
Example 6
Work out 6 × 40.
Answer: 240
Example 7
367 × 4
Answer: 1,468
Example 8
46 × 23
Answer: 1,058