Looking at Times Tables, Factors and Multiples

 

 

We have been building on our knowledge of multiplication facts by noticing patterns and numbers within other numbers.  In this game we choose cards that have numbers represented in dot patterns.  We have to justify why that number could be part of another number, by explaining how it can be grouped or multiplied to create the larger number, then we cover that number on the game board.  This is helping to build visual representations and to make abstract times tables more concrete.  It takes flexibility of thinking and an ability to justify your reasoning.  These are both skills mathematicians need.

 For example, here we've picked a card that has 5 dots on it.  We can justify putting a counter on anything that has multiples of 5.  So here we could be saying, this can be part of 30, because 6 groups of 5 is 30, or 6x5=30, or that it can be part of 60, because 12 groups of 5 is 60, or 12x5=60.