Multiplication Rules Chart
Rules that make multiplication easier.
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Read each rule.
- Look at the example.
- Try one example of your own.
Teaching tip
The rules have longer names (commutative, distributive and associative), but plain words are fine at this age. This sheet is aligned with Common Core 3.OA.B.5.
About this chart
The turn-around, break-apart, grouping and times 1 and times 0 rules, each with an example.
What kids practice
A few rules make multiplication much easier. Turn-around facts have the same product (3 × 7 = 7 × 3). A hard fact can be broken into two easy ones (6 × 7 = 6 × 5 + 6 × 2). Any number times 1 is that number, and any number times 0 is 0. Children also look for patterns in the times table, like products of 5 always ending in 0 or 5.
Watch for
- Thinking any number times 0 is that number, like 6 × 0 = 6.
- Breaking apart a fact but adding only one part back in.
- Thinking turn-around facts work for subtraction too. 7 − 3 is not 3 − 7.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full multiplication properties and patterns guide for 3rd grade.
More sheets in this set
2. Turn-Around FactsArrays turned on their side, written as a pair of turn-around facts.
3. Break Apart ArraysArrays split at a dashed line, like 6 × 7 = 6 × 5 + 6 × 2.
4. Zero and OneFacts with 0 and 1, including a few missing numbers, like ? × 1 = 7.
5. Times Table PatternsColor the odd products in a times table, then answer questions about even and odd products, the 5s, 4s and 9s.