3 digit multiplication

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Home : 2002 : November : 6

3 digit multiplication
By Carolyn

I do what is suggested above, and I also give the kids the final answer (product). I tell the kids that if they add up their partial products, they should add up to my final answer. If not, then they need to go back and multiply again. I think that the major problem with the kids with this process is that: a) they don't know their math facts well enough, which complicates matters;
b) they forget to add in carry numbers; c) they don't line up the numbers properly; d) they don't add correctly when they have their partial products. There are just so many ways for the kids to mess up 3-digit multiplication. You could show them the distributive property. Some kids seem to get that more easily than the traditional method.