Multiplication problem
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Multiplication problem
Can somebody please help sort out a difference in opinion between dd and myself?
She has been taught the grid method for multiplication at school, which I think is a vast improvement on the old long multiplication method.
However, her tutor (bless him) has taught her the old fashioned way, saying it's much faster.
Which way is best? Please help!
She has been taught the grid method for multiplication at school, which I think is a vast improvement on the old long multiplication method.
However, her tutor (bless him) has taught her the old fashioned way, saying it's much faster.
Which way is best? Please help!
I usually teach them side by side if they have already been taught the grid method. I like the children to understand that they are, in fact, exactly the same. You are just adding the numbers as you go.
So I will do the sum simultaneously with both methods so they can see this. The gradually I ditch the grid and go for the composite because it is basically faster.
So I will do the sum simultaneously with both methods so they can see this. The gradually I ditch the grid and go for the composite because it is basically faster.
Grid method is easier and less room for error and easier to double check , especially for for larger multiplications sums..probably not for the shorter
ones, i.e 3 numbers by two numbers.
DS will only use the grid method can do most of the two numbers by three numbers in his head.
His school teacher tried to make him stop doing the grid method because she only taught the children the long multiplication method.
We sent a letter in saying we were happy with him using the grid method and as long as the answer was correct she should not force on him a method he disliked and was not suited to him.
Had to help DD who did not like maths at all to gain a GSCE pass and she also found the grid method to her liking and much easier the the long multiplication method.........she gained her GCSE easily in the end.
Quizzer
ones, i.e 3 numbers by two numbers.
DS will only use the grid method can do most of the two numbers by three numbers in his head.
His school teacher tried to make him stop doing the grid method because she only taught the children the long multiplication method.
We sent a letter in saying we were happy with him using the grid method and as long as the answer was correct she should not force on him a method he disliked and was not suited to him.
Had to help DD who did not like maths at all to gain a GSCE pass and she also found the grid method to her liking and much easier the the long multiplication method.........she gained her GCSE easily in the end.
Quizzer
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Thanks everyone for your input.
I must admit I agree with Guest 55 for all the reasons she gave, at least the ones I understood (gave up Maths after AS). I certainly can't agree that the grid method is slower, and even if it is for some people, isn't it better to spend 2 minutes on a problem and get it right than 1 minute and get it wrong?
Took dd to have a chat with her teacher after school yesterday. She helpfully pointed out a few occasions where had made silly mistakes using the long multiplication method and asked dd to identify where she had gone wrong, which she couldn't, although I suspect it was her old enemy, place value!
Think she might finally have come round to my way of thinking at last. Now if I can only persuade her to read the questions properly.........
I must admit I agree with Guest 55 for all the reasons she gave, at least the ones I understood (gave up Maths after AS). I certainly can't agree that the grid method is slower, and even if it is for some people, isn't it better to spend 2 minutes on a problem and get it right than 1 minute and get it wrong?
Took dd to have a chat with her teacher after school yesterday. She helpfully pointed out a few occasions where had made silly mistakes using the long multiplication method and asked dd to identify where she had gone wrong, which she couldn't, although I suspect it was her old enemy, place value!
Think she might finally have come round to my way of thinking at last. Now if I can only persuade her to read the questions properly.........