Commutative property It makes no difference in which order two numbers are multiplied. The commutative property does not apply to division
Factor One of two or more numbers that are multiplied together to obtain a product. Factors are whole numbers which can be divided exactly into a given number.
Multiple A multiple of a number is the product of that number and an integer.
Multiplication An operation on two numbers that tells how many in all. The first number is the number of sets and the second number tells how many in each set. When multiplying we use the times sign 'x'.
We can think of multiplication as repeated addition. Students in early primary are taught multiplication in this way. In a multiplication question the first number is the number of sets and the second number tells how many in each set.
We might assume that multiplication always makes something larger. But this isn't true if the number of sets is a decimal or a fraction.
Multiplication tables can seem hard, but practice makes perfect. You can practice your tables, and other mental and written skills, with our our FREE multiplication exercises - click the image at right.
Most children are likely to have got a basic grasp of the notion of pennies and pounds, and how they relate, from an early age... If you struggle with decimal calculations, it might just help to shove a pound sign in front of the numbers.
The excellent Steven Strogatz, writing in last month’s New York Times Opinionator, gave another elegant lecture on high-school maths and algebra problems – including a fancy trick for squaring larger numbers. The God of Whizz is behind on his reading, so I’ve come to this post late. But the trick was enough to impress the late, [...]
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