This activity will test how well you know your multiplication number families. You can start by gathering these materials: a black marker, a red marker, a pair of scissors, and colored papers. First, take the colored paper and cut it into 10 strips. You can use your hand to measure. The strips should be about as long as your hand and as wide as your thumb. You should be able to write four numbers on each strip. Then get your black marker and write these numbers down on your strips.
2, 5, 8, 10
3, 8, 24, 35
4, 7, 9, 63
5, 6, 11, 30
6, 8, 9, 48
7, 2, 3, 14
8, 7, 9, 56
9, 8, 72, 81
1, 5, 4, 20
2, 8, 10, 16
You now have 10 multiplication number family strips. But look at your strips again. Do you notice something is not quite right? A number family only has three numbers and not four, right? That means that one of the numbers is not a part of the family. One number is actually an "outsider"!
Using what you've learned, look for the number that does not belong in the family. Cross the number out with your red marker. Be careful with the numbers you cross out, though. Some of these numbers belong to the addition number family. Remember that the family you want is the multiplication number family.
Here's an example:
3, 7, 10, 21
One of these numbers is the outsider. Which is it? We know that 3 plus 7 equals 10. But we're looking for the multiplication number family! So let's multiply the lesser (smaller) numbers. What do we get? Yes, we get 21. So which lesser number does not belong? It's the number 10. Let's cross out 10.
Now it's your turn. Use your red marker carefully. Have fun!
Ready to move on to the next lesson?
Multiplication Number Families Basics
