Multiplying, Dividing and Factoring Units

Video Summary

Multiplying, dividing and factoring are usually taught with tables and rules, which can be devoid of context. ThinkBlocks express these core concepts in a visual and hands-on way, laying a solid foundation for future analytical thinking.

Also see:

• Number Line: Counting and Ordering

Video Transcript: Multiplying, dividing and factoring are usually taught with tables and rules, which can be devoid of context. ThinkBlocks express these core concepts in a visual and hands-on way, laying a solid foundation for future analytical thinking. Group 6 TB together in your playspace.  Ask “how many blocks do you see?” Now place them in groups of three.  Ask “how many are in each group?”  Take two blocks labeled “3” and put the groups inside. Now ask “how many threes are there in ‘6’?”  They should answer two.  Place the 3’s inside a large block labeled “6,” as they count “one…two.”  So you’ve demonstrated 2 times 3 gives 6.
Now remove the 3’s.  Explain that this divides or factors the 6 into 2 groups of 3. Take another 6 blocks and group into twos.  Ask “how many in each group?”  Place the groups into blocks labeled 2. Now ask “how many 2’s are there in 6?”  They should say 3.  Place the three 2’s inside 6 as they count “one…two…three.”  So 3 times 2 gives six.  Now remove the twos, and explain that you divided the 6 into 3 groups of 2. You can repeat this exercise with any numbers.

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