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Year 4 - Maths

Explain the use of placeholders when multiplying whole numbers by 100

Understand what happens when a number is multiplied or divided by 10 and 100

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will explain the relationship between multiplying and dividing a number by 10 and multiples of 10.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use place value to explain placing 2 0's after the final digit when we multiply whole numbers by 100.

Key Notes

  • Multiples of 100 have zero in the tens and ones column.
  • When a number is multiplied by one hundred the product is a multiple of one hundred.
  • Multiplying by one hundred moves all the digits two columns to the left making the digits one hundred times the size.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Placeholder: A placeholder is where we use the digit 0 to hold a place in a number and maintain place value.
  • Magnitude: The magnitude of a number is its distance from 0

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Many pupils believe that 'adding 2 zeros' is multiplying by 100 which can lead to difficulties later on when they are introduced to decimal numbers.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.

Multiples of 100 have zero in the tens and ones column. When a number is multiplied by one hundred the product is a multiple of one hundred.

2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Placeholder'

A placeholder is where we use the digit 0 to hold a place in a number and maintain place value. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: Many pupils believe that 'adding 2 zeros' is multiplying by 100 which can lead to difficulties later on when they are introduced to decimal numbers. Correction: Don't dismiss it. It's a pattern that has been spotted and generalised. Do encourage the children to work with physical resources that don't involve the numbers themselves so they can understand that it isn't adding zero but changing place value.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 4 Maths guide library.