Break apart and turn around to multiply
With these shortcuts in hand, your child no longer faces 100 separate facts to memorize one by one. Breaking 4 x 7 into 4 x 5 and 4 x 2 turns one hard fact into two easy ones. The same move returns in 4th grade, where 6 x 23 becomes 6 x 20 plus 6 x 3, and again in middle school algebra, so it is one of the most useful ideas your child will meet.
In this video, your child will learn to break apart and turn around times problems.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
4 × 7 = ?
Example 2
7 × 5 = 5 × ?
Your child's turn
6 × 8 = ?
The three key steps
- 1Break it into facts you know.
- 2Multiply each part, then add.
- 3Turn it around: same answer.
Mistakes to listen for
- Breaking a number apart but multiplying only one piece, so 4 x 7 becomes 4 x 5 + 2 = 22 instead of 28.
- Expecting the order trick to work for division too, so 12 ÷ 3 and 3 ÷ 12 seem equal.
- Splitting a number into awkward pieces, such as 7 into 3 and 4, which leaves facts no easier than before.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to shortcuts that make times tables easier →
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More 3rd grade Problem Solving, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice shortcuts that make times tables easier, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to shortcuts that make times tables easier has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
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Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on shortcuts that make times tables easier and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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