Fact Families — Multiply & Divide Pathway
How multiplication and division are linked
- Multiplication and division are opposites.
- If you know 3 x 4 = 12, then you also know:
- 12 / 3 = 4 and 12 / 4 = 3.
- These are called a "fact family".
Example: Fact family for 5 x 6 = 30
- 5 x 6 = 30.
- 6 x 5 = 30.
- 30 / 5 = 6.
- 30 / 6 = 5. That is the whole family.
Your turn
- Start with: 4 x 7 = 28.
- Write the other multiplication: 7 x 4 = 28.
- Write the divisions: 28 / 4 = 7.
- And: 28 / 7 = 4. Done!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing only the multiplication and forgetting the divisions. A fact family always has two multiplications and two divisions.
- Mixing up the divisor and the quotient. 12 / 3 = 4 and 12 / 4 = 3 are both correct.
Real-Life Example
A recipe uses 2 eggs per portion and makes 8 portions. 2 x 8 = 16 eggs. The fact family: 8 x 2 = 16, 16 / 2 = 8, 16 / 8 = 2.
Extra Support Hints
- Write all four facts together so you can see the family.
- If you know one multiplication fact, you actually know four facts.