Question 1
2 groups of 5 counters are shown. How many counters are there altogether?
2 groups of 5 counters are shown. How many counters are there altogether?
Count 5 and 5.
Year 1
Solve one-step multiplication and division problems using concrete objects, pictorial representations and arrays with support
Use equal groups, sharing and simple arrays to work out one-step multiplication and division problems.
Lesson overview
Number - multiplication and division
Some problems ask us to make equal groups. Some ask us to share a group equally. Arrays also help because each row has the same number. We can look carefully at the picture, count the groups or rows, and work out the answer step by step.
There are 3 groups of 2 apples. How many apples are there altogether?
Count 2, 4, 6 or count all the apples in the equal groups.
3 groups of 2 make 6
8 cubes are shared into 2 equal groups. How many cubes are in each group?
Share the 8 cubes equally between the 2 groups.
8 shared into 2 groups gives 4 in each group
An array has 3 rows of 4 counters. How many counters are there altogether?
Each row has 4, so count all three rows.
3 rows of 4 make 12
Worked example
12 counters are shared into 3 equal groups. How many counters are in each group?
12 counters are shared into 3 equal groups. How many counters are in each group?
We are sharing equally, so each group must end with the same number.
12 shared into 3 groups gives 4 in each group
- Look at the whole group first. There are 12 counters.
- See how many groups we need. There are 3 equal groups.
- Share the counters equally between the 3 groups.
- Count one group. There are 4 counters in each group.
Try it
Look at the picture, then decide whether you are multiplying, dividing or using an array.
Question 2
9 counters are shared into 3 equal groups. How many are in each group?
9 counters are shared into 3 equal groups. How many are in each group?
Share 9 equally into 3 groups.
Question 3
What does an array with 2 rows of 4 make?
What does an array with 2 rows of 4 make?
Count the rows carefully.
Question 4
12 apples are shared into 4 equal groups. How many apples are in each group?
12 apples are shared into 4 equal groups. How many apples are in each group?
Share 12 equally into 4 groups.
Question 5
Why does this picture show multiplication?
Why does this picture show multiplication?
Look at what is the same in each group.
Common mistakes
These reminders help when solving supported multiplication and division problems.
- Making groups that are not equal when the problem is about multiplication or division.
- Counting the number of groups but forgetting to count how many are in each group.
- For division, giving the total again instead of how many are in each shared group.
Related topics
These connect closely to one-step multiplication and division problems.
- Understand multiplication as making equal groups.
- Solve one-step addition and subtraction problems using concrete objects and pictures.