In maths during week 3 we learnt all about the split strategy.

To use the split method you need to:

* ‘Split’ one, or both numbers, into parts that are easy to multiply.

e.g.  37 x 4 – split 37 into 30 & 7

* Multiply the parts – 30 x 4 + 7 x 4

* Add the results – 120 + 28

* Record your thinking

37 x 4
= 30 x 4 + 7 x 4
= 120 + 28
= 148

Ryan Cothran presents: The Break-apart strategy in multiplication

Stop the video at 2:30. The first section gives a very good description of how to split the numbers.

In the second half we can see a two by two multiplication problem. It is interesting to note that we complete our two by two multiplication problems in a different sequence here. We all end with the same answer, but there can sometimes be more than one way to solve a problem.