Monday, September 22, 2014

Teach Your Kids to Learn Multiplication With #FingerMath

I never did like Math. I guess I just have a really big dislike for numbers. When I was in second grade, my mom had to drill me everyday after school to memorize the multiplication table. I would recite it over and over and when I made a mistake, I had to start from 1 x 1 again. I would say that started my dislike for math. Not to blame my mom, I knew she meant well, but it was way too much for me as a 7 year old.

Technology has made learning math easy and enjoyable for the early learners. However, I learned a trick that would not need any gadget. I passed this on to my children when they were young. It is simple Finger Math to help kids remember the Multiplication Table of 6 up to the Table of 9.

Hold your hands palm up facing you. The forefinger will represent the number 9, the middle finger will be 8, the ring finger will be 7 and the pinky finger will be 6. See picture below:



Now that we have assigned a particular number for every finger, let's do some finger math. Let us first try the equation seven multiplied by eight (7 x 8). Simple join the finger corresponding to the number 7 on your left hand with the finger corresponding to the number 8 on your right hand. Once you have done that, the fingers joined together and all those below it will be counted as multiples of "10" which gives you "50." All the other fingers above the ones that are joined together is counted as "1." Multiply the number of fingers above the joined one on your left hand with the number of fingers also above the joined one on your right hand. Looking at the picture below, that will be three (3) times two (2) equals 6. Add 50 and 6 together will give you 56. Therefore, the answer to 7 x 8 is 56.



Did I confuse you more? It is really easy with practice. Try experimenting and you'll get the hang of it. I still use this method when I get attacks of "selective amnesia." Below is another picture to show how to do finger math on the equation eight multiplied by nine (8 x 9):



Try playing around with this simple learning aid. Teach your children how to do finger math. Its free, it does not need batteries and you can take it with you anywhere you go.

If you need other tools to make learning easier and more fun for the kids, search the web for printable materials that would teach young learners about other subjects too.


Get more activity sheets and coloring books from Printable Learning, the free educational resource website from Carrot Ink, a leader in providing first-rate aftermarket ink and toner cartridges.

14 comments:

  1. Great tips. We are starting to do multiplication now!

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  2. Lol my mom taught me this 'trick' years ago and I'm still using it... passing it on to Miko

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  3. Yey! I remember my elementary days, I used the same technique hahaha

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  4. I'll admit I was confused at first. And kids still need to know their multiplication for 4 or 5 and under. But I do think I will try this with my daughter when she gets to that stage in math. And I will probably end up trying too the next time I get "math amnesia."

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  5. this is the easiest way to learn about multiplication by hands, i remember this trick before and did work great.

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  6. Oh goodness, this could have been very helpful with my math skills then hehehe. Thanks for sharing sis. I love Math until I hit Algebra, then I hated it lol.

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  7. Reminds me of high school days where we are not allowed to use a Multiplication table anymore. LOL! This kind of method actually confuses me and I don't know why. My friends and my younger siblings are really good at this. Thanks for sharing, Ate! :)

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  8. Hey!!! I remember that since I was a kid! I am definitely going to teach that to my daughter! I use it up to now! LOL! Thanks for the instructions too!

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  9. Nice! Learning new things everyday. Will definitely pin this!

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  10. I tried to learn this technique but I am too slow to get it. :-( Good tips.

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  11. Gaaah! I remembered during my elementary years that they do this kind of multiplication and I can't simply get the idea on how they solved the problem! Right now, what I do with multiplication is simply remember them with my mind. That way, I wouldn't do my multiplication in a way that would make me look awkward.

    But for those who want to learn this method of multiplying numbers, this is perfect for them! :D

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  12. Great advice tips! You broke down the method quite well, and the photos helped tremendously! Thanks for sharing!

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