Multiplication and Division Facts
Multiplication and Division Facts is the Year 2 skill of using one known multiplication or division fact to work out three related facts, forming a 'fact family' of four number sentences, and using known facts to solve missing-number problems such as [] x 5 = 30.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Build a physical array for a known fact, such as 4 rows of 5 counters, and count the total both by rows (4 groups of 5) and by columns (5 groups of 4), to show the same array gives two different-looking multiplication facts with the same answer.
- Write both multiplication facts from the array as number sentences, e.g. 4 x 5 = 20 and 5 x 4 = 20, to show multiplication can be done in any order (the commutative law) without changing the answer.
- Split the same array into equal groups to find the two matching division facts: sharing the 20 counters into 4 equal rows gives 20 divided by 4 = 5, and sharing them into 5 equal rows gives 20 divided by 5 = 4.
- Present all four facts together as a fact family from one single array, and practise starting from any one of the four facts to state the other three straight away.
- Directly correct the 'division can be flipped like multiplication' misconception: show that 20 shared into 4 groups gives 5 in each group, but 4 shared into 20 groups does not work sensibly with only 4 counters, so division facts cannot be reordered the way multiplication facts can.
- For missing-number multiplication and division problems, turn the sentence into whichever fact family member is easiest to work out, e.g. rewrite [] x 5 = 30 as 30 divided by 5 to find the missing number directly.
- Use known times-table facts to solve worded 'how many groups' and 'how many in each group' problems, choosing division when a total is being split up and multiplication when equal groups are being combined.
Worked example
A known fact is 6 x 5 = 30. Use this one fact to write the other three facts in its fact family.
- Reorder the two numbers being multiplied to get the second multiplication fact: 5 x 6 = 30.
- Use the total, 30, and one of the two numbers to write a division fact: 30 divided by 5 = 6.
- Use the total, 30, and the other number to write the final division fact: 30 divided by 6 = 5.
- Check all four facts share the same three numbers, 6, 5 and 30, just arranged differently: 6 x 5 = 30, 5 x 6 = 30, 30 / 5 = 6, 30 / 6 = 5.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Given that 3 x 10 = 30, write the matching multiplication fact with the two numbers reordered.Show answer
Answer: 10 x 3 = 30
Q2Given that 4 x 5 = 20, write the two division facts that belong to the same fact family.Show answer
Answer: 20 / 4 = 5 and 20 / 5 = 4
Q3Fill in the missing number: [] x 2 = 16.Show answer
Answer: 8 (since 16 / 2 = 8)
Q4Fill in the missing number: 45 / 5 = [].Show answer
Answer: 9
Q5There are 24 buns. They are shared equally onto plates, with 4 buns on each plate. How many plates are there?Show answer
Answer: 6 plates (24 / 4 = 6)
Q6Write the fact family of four number sentences that goes with an array of counters arranged in 2 rows of 10.Show answer
Answer: 2 x 10 = 20, 10 x 2 = 20, 20 / 2 = 10, 20 / 10 = 2
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a KS1 Maths exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Fill in the missing number: [] x 5 = 35. Show how you worked it out.
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There are 18 apples. They are packed equally into bags of 2 apples each. How many bags are needed? Show your working.
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Priya says that 4 divided by 2 gives the same answer as 2 divided by 4, because 4 x 2 = 2 x 4. Work out both division facts and explain whether Priya is right.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the multiplication and division facts worksheet pack - 7 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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