Skip to content

Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Year 6 - Maths

Explain when it is efficient to use factorising or long multiplication to multiply by 2-digits

Multiplying and dividing by 2-digit numbers

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will extend their understanding of formal calculation strategies to multiply and divide by 2-digit numbers, explaining when other strategies are more efficient.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain when it is efficient to use factorising or long multiplication to multiply by 2-digit numbers.

Key Notes

  • Multiplication can be simplified by factorising one of the factors.
  • If the multiplication will involve regrouping then a written method may be more efficient.
  • If the multiplication will not involve regrouping then a mental or informal method may be more efficient.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Associative law: The associative law states that it doesn't matter how you group or pair values (i.e. which we calculate first), the result is still the same. It applies for addition and multiplication.
  • Efficient / efficiently: Working efficiently means finding a way to solve a problem quickly whilst also maintaining accuracy.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils can 'default' to using a written algorithm when learned regardless of the values of the calculation.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Multiplication can be simplified by factorising one of the factors. If the multiplication will involve regrouping then a written method may be more efficient.

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

The associative law states that it doesn't matter how you group or pair values (i.e. which we calculate first), the result is still the same. It applies for addition and multiplication. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: Pupils can 'default' to using a written algorithm when learned regardless of the values of the calculation. Correction: Consider using confident mathematicians in a race to show efficiency of different methods. Encourage pupils to 'interrogate' the values of the calculation in order to identify more efficient approaches.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 6 Maths guide library.