Put dots in rows and columns and you've made an array. 3 rows of 5 is 3 × 5 = 15. Change the rows and columns and watch the answer.
You have 12 seeds and some baskets. Share them out equally — how many land in each basket? That's 12 ÷ baskets. Notice: 12 ÷ 3 = 4, and 3 × 4 = 12. Multiply and divide undo each other!
1. Missing number: 5 × ☐ = 40. 8 — because 40 ÷ 5 = 8.
2. Word problem: 4 children share 20 stickers equally. How many each? 20 ÷ 4 = 5 stickers each.
3. Two steps: 3 bags hold 10 sweets each. You eat 5. How many left? 3 × 10 = 30, then 30 − 5 = 25.
4. Leftovers: Share 13 grapes between 4 plates. How many each, and how many left over? 3 each, with 1 left over (a remainder!).
Every times fact hides a divide fact. 6 × 5 = 30 also tells you 30 ÷ 5 = 6 and 30 ÷ 6 = 5. Learn one, you get three for free.
Master your 2s, 5s and 10s this summer and almost every number puzzle gets easier — they're the building blocks for everything that comes after.