Year 4 · Mathematics · Algebra
Multiplication and division facts
Learning the multiplication facts for 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 using patterns and doubling, and using each fact to find the related division facts.
Awaiting educator review. This material was drafted by our content team with AI assistance and is waiting for review by a qualified educator. Please check it suits your child before using it. Created 10 October 2026.
These lessons were written around Australian Curriculum strands and matched to New Zealand year levels by age (NZ Year 1 is the first year of school). They are not yet mapped to The New Zealand Curriculum, so check them against your own learning programme.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Recall multiplication facts for 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10.
- Use patterns and doubling to work out unknown facts.
- Use a multiplication fact to solve the related division facts.
Success looks like
- I can quickly say facts like 5 × 8 and 4 × 3.
- I can double a 2s fact to find a 4s fact.
- I can use 3 × 7 = 21 to work out 21 ÷ 3 and 21 ÷ 7.
- I can solve word problems using multiplication or division.
The big idea
Multiplication is a fast way to add equal groups. 4 × 3 means 4 groups of 3, which is 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12. An array of 4 rows of 3 beans shows this clearly.
Turning an array around shows that 4 × 3 = 3 × 4. This halves the number of facts to learn: knowing 3 × 8 means you also know 8 × 3.
Look for patterns. The 10s facts all end in 0. The 5s facts end in 5 or 0 and are half of the 10s facts: 5 × 8 is half of 10 × 8 = 80, so it is 40. The 2s facts are doubles.
The 4s facts are double the 2s facts. 2 × 7 = 14, so 4 × 7 is double 14, which is 28. The 3s facts can be found from 2s plus one more group: 3 × 6 is 2 × 6 + 6 = 12 + 6 = 18.
Every multiplication fact gives two division facts. From 3 × 7 = 21 we know 21 ÷ 3 = 7 and 21 ÷ 7 = 3. To divide, think 'What times 3 gives 21?'
In word problems, look for equal groups. 'A box holds 4 muffins. How many in 9 boxes?' is 9 × 4. 'Thirty children make teams of 5. How many teams?' is 30 ÷ 5.
Worked examples
Doubling to find a 4s fact
What is 4 × 6?
- Start with a 2s fact you know: 2 × 6 = 12.
- 4 is double 2, so double the answer.
- Double 12 is 24.
Answer: 4 × 6 = 24.
Using a related fact to divide
What is 24 ÷ 4?
- Ask: what number times 4 gives 24?
- Skip count by 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24. That is 6 jumps.
- So 6 × 4 = 24, which means 24 ÷ 4 = 6.
Answer: 24 ÷ 4 = 6.
A multiplication word problem
Sausage rolls come in packets of 5. How many sausage rolls are in 7 packets?
- There are 7 equal groups of 5, so the number sentence is 7 × 5.
- Skip count by 5 seven times: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35.
Answer: There are 35 sausage rolls.
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
What is 4 × 3?
12 — 4 groups of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12.
What is 5 × 8?
40 — 10 × 8 = 80, and 5 × 8 is half of that, which is 40.
What is 10 × 6?
60 — 10 groups of 6 is 60. Multiplying by 10 makes each digit worth ten times more.
What is 28 ÷ 4?
7 — 4 × 7 = 28, so 28 ÷ 4 = 7.
Which division fact goes with 3 × 7 = 21?
21 ÷ 7 = 3 — 3 × 7 = 21 gives the division facts 21 ÷ 7 = 3 and 21 ÷ 3 = 7.
A box holds 4 muffins. How many muffins are in 9 boxes?
36 — 9 × 4: double 2 × 9 = 18 to get 36.
2 × 7 = 14. Use doubling to find 4 × 7.
28 — 4 is double 2, so 4 × 7 is double 14, which is 28.
30 children are put into teams of 5. How many teams are there?
6 — 30 ÷ 5 = 6, because 6 × 5 = 30.
Watch out for
- Confusing × with + (answering 7 for 4 × 3). Build the array with objects to show 4 groups of 3.
- Thinking division can be turned around like multiplication (21 ÷ 3 is not the same as 3 ÷ 21). Use sharing with objects to show the difference.
- Believing every fact has to be memorised separately. Show how doubling, halving and turnarounds link facts together.
Tips for parents
- Learn one fact family at a time, starting with 2s, 10s and 5s, before moving to 4s and 3s.
- Short daily practice with cards or games is far more effective than long worksheets.
- Ask your child to explain a strategy, such as 'I doubled the 2s fact', not just the answer.
Go further
- Play 'Multiplication snap': flip two cards and the first person to say the product wins them.
- Build every array you can for 24 beans and write the multiplication fact for each.
- Plan a family barbecue: work out how many sausages, bread rolls and drinks are needed if each person has the same amount.