Maths tricks · trick 19 of 25 · free

Factor chains for multiplying — Maths trick for kids

Big multipliers like 12, 16, 18 and 24 are made of small ones: 12 = 3 × 4, 16 = 4 × 4, 18 = 2 × 9, 24 = 4 × 6. Multiply by the first small number, then by the second. Each step is an easy table fact.

The trick

Chain the factors — “× 12 = × 3 then × 4; × 16 = × 4 then × 4”

  1. Split the multiplier into two small factors: 12 = 3 × 4, 14 = 2 × 7, 15 = 3 × 5, 16 = 4 × 4, 18 = 2 × 9, 24 = 4 × 6.
  2. Multiply by the first factor.
  3. Multiply that answer by the second factor (× 4 is double, double).

Use it for: Dozens (× 12), hours in days (× 24), boxes of 16 or 18, and any time a big multiplier hides small factors.

Worked example: 24 × 12 = 288

  1. 12 = 3 × 4.
  2. 24 × 3 = 72.
  3. 72 × 4 = 288 (double 72 is 144, double again is 288).

Check: 24 × 12 = 24 × 10 + 24 × 2 = 240 + 48 = 288 ✓

✏️ Practice

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🏁 Trick 19 test

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🖨️ Multiply by 12, 16, 18 and 24 Worksheet

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