Please note: This site contains links to websites not controlled by the Australian Government or ESA. More information here.

Multiplication: Trays of Arrays

This sequence of 7 tasks uses the array to explore the distributive and associative properties of multiplication. Students use different strategies to calculate the number of items in arrays, and use mathematical reasoning to explain which strategies are the most useful. Students learn to use the distributive property to partition and distribute factors, and the associative property to group numbers to form known facts. Professional learning for teachers is integrated throughout the sequence.

Additional details
Year level(s)	Year 4
Audience	Teacher
Purpose	Teaching resource
Format	Web page
Teaching strategies and pedagogical approaches	Mathematics investigation
Keywords	arrays, division, multiplication, factors, associativity
Curriculum alignment
Curriculum connections	Numeracy
Strand and focus	Number
Topics	Multiplication and division
AC: Mathematics (V9.0) content descriptions	AC9M4A02 Recall and demonstrate proficiency with multiplication facts up to 10 x 10 and related division facts; extend and apply facts to develop efficient mental strategies for computation with larger numbers without a calculator AC9M4N06 Develop efficient strategies and use appropriate digital tools for solving problems involving addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division where there is no remainder
Numeracy progression	National numeracy (Multiplicative strategies) Multiplicative strategies (P5)
Copyright details
Organisation	reSolve Maths by Inquiry
Copyright	© Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment 2021. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.