Split it up

23 × 7 = 20 × 7 plus 3 × 7.

You already know your times tables up to 10. Splitting a number into tens and ones turns any multiplication into a couple of facts you know, plus one addition.

The move

Break one number into friendly parts (tens and ones), multiply each part, then add the pieces back together.

Worked example

23 × 7

  1. 23 = 20 + 3
  2. 20 × 7 = 140
  3. 3 × 7 = 21
  4. 140 + 21 = 161
  • Say the running total out loud. Your working memory only has to hold one number.
  • For two-digit × two-digit numbers, split the smaller one: 34 × 12 = 34 × 10 + 34 × 2.