Scottish Survey of Literacy &
Numeracy
Support Material
Third Level - Multiplication
Produced by Education Scotland
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Introduction
Multiplication
2000 x £15.75
This type of question caused problems
for approximately
65% of S2 pupils
This is the picture nationally.
Does this reflect what is happening in your own classroom?
Questions to consider when reflecting on your own practice:
• Is this performance in line with your expectations?
• What are the most common errors and what do these
tell you about learners?
• What concept do learners find difficult?
Multiplication
Third Level
Learning & Teaching
Approaches
More than
1 step operations
Primary / Secondary
Liaison
Work together to agree
on common language
and methodology
Second Level Prior Learning
Reflective Questions
• Can you identify other curricular areas
where this form of multiplication could be
used?
• How could you ensure that a common
approach is being used across all
curricular areas?
Based on the following Survey type questions
x and ÷ by multiples of 100 & 1000
2000 x £15.75
Areas to reflect on
• difficulties ?
• process ?
• large numbers ?
• primary liaison ?
• cohesive learning ?
Progression
Reminders from Second Level
H
T
U
4
0
3
x 10
Progression
Reminders from Third Level
2.36 x 100
H
T
.t
2. 3
U
h
6
Progression
2.36 x 1000
TH
H
T
.t
0
2. 3
U
h
6
We need this zero as a place holder
because without it you would get
the wrong answer of 236.
Making the connections
H
H
TH
H
T
T
T
.t
2. 3
U
.t
2. 3
U . t
0
2. 3
U
h
6
x 10
move 1 place
h
6
x 100 move 2 places
h
6
x 1000 move 3 places
zero as a place holder
Effective questioning
How do we divide by 1000?
Progressing onto 2 step calculations
x 2000 etc
£12.36 x 2000
TTH TH
H
T
1
.t
0
2. 3
U
h
6
x 1000
then
x2
x2
£24720
SSLN Question
2000 people each paid £15.75 to attend a sports event.
What was the total taken?
S2: 30% answered correctly
2000 x £15.75
TTH TH
H
T
1
.t
0
5. 7
U
h
5
x2
£31500
Reflective questions: 2000 x £15.75
Can you use mental strategies to check
your answer is reasonable?
• 2000 x £10 ?
• 2000 x £15 ?
What is the best option in this case?
15.75 x 2 then x 1000?
or
15.75 x 1000 then x 2?
Checking understanding
TTH TH
H
T
1
.t
5. 7
0
U
£31500
?
x
?
Fill in the missing numbers
h
5
Checking understanding
TTH TH
H
T
2
.t
3. 2
0
U
£93000
?
x
?
Fill in the missing numbers
h
5
93000
=
23.25
÷
x
Create a calculation
which will give you an
answer of either
93000 or 23.25
4000
x
÷
2
2000
1000
4
£4000 x 23.25
One possible mental strategy
23.25 x
2
x
2
x 1000
Check by calculating
93000 ÷ 4000
=
93000
• £93000 ÷ 4000 ?
• step 1 ?
• step 2 ?
TTH TH
9
3
H
T
U
0 0
0
2
.
t
.
3. 2
h
÷ 1000
÷4
5
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