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page > Lesson Plans > Math
> General
> Tricks
for Your Digits
We've all heard
of the different tricks that can help students learn their multiplication
tables. We're doing our best to compile those tricks here. We welcome your
contributions! Just send us an email
so we can add your trick - be sure to tell us who you are.
Trick for multiplying
by 6, 7, 8, and 9 (from T2T contributor, John Sipp)
With an easy to read (and apply) marker or pen, write the following numbers
on both of your hands: put a 9 on each of your index fingers, an 8 on
your middle fingers, 7 on your ring fingers, and 6 on your pinkies.Hold
your hand out in front of you as if you are going to clap them together,
fingers parallel to each other and the floor. Touch the fingers together
that are numbered with the digits you're multiplying. Now count the two
fingers that are touching, and any fingers that are physically below those
two fingers (all the fingers closer to the floor.) Multiply this number
by 10. (Example: for 7 x 8, count the two fingers that are touching, and
the remaining pinky on one hand, and pinky & ring finger of the other
hand for a total of 5, so 50.) Next, count the fingers that are remaining
on each hand, above the two fingers touching together. (For 7 x 8, you
will count the thumb, index, and middle finger of one hand for 3, and
the thumb and index finger of the other hand for 2.) Now multiply these
two digits together. (3 x 2 = 6) So take your first number, 50, and add
the second number to it, 6, for a total of 56 - the answer to 7 x 8! We
realize, this sounds a little complicated, but once you've done it two
or three times, it makes perfect sense. It won't be long at all before
you don't need the numbers to be written on your hands!
Finger Math for
9's (from T2T contributor, Sally Engle)
"This may be an easier way to do 9's with finger math. Choose the
number you will multiply by nine. Count to that number beginning with
the pinky finger of the left hand with palms facing down. Once you get
to that number, fold that finger down. The numbers to the left of the
folded finger are tens. The numbers to the right of the folded finger
are ones. Example: 9 x 7 = 63 Count to seven starting with the left pinkie
finger. That should put you to the pointer finger of the right hand. Fold
that pointer finger under. To the left you have six digits or 60. To the
right you have 3 fingers or 3. 63!"
Finger Math for
9's - take 2 (from T2T contributor, Veronica Leigh)
"I have struggled with the multiplication tables since grade four.
Here is a trick I use for the nines: Subtract 1 from the number that's
not 9 and that is the first number of your product. Then, whatever number
it takes to add to 9 is your second number. Here's an example for 7 X
9: ( 7 - 1 = 6) and (6 + 3 = 9) Therefore, 7X9 is 63! I am taking my math
methods class right now, and my instructor left an interesting note on
one of my assignments that was returned today. It said that by grade 5,
only 80% of children can think multiplicatively. I don't know the source,
but I'll have to find out. I thought it was interesting..."
FingerLESS Math
for 9's (from T2T contributor, Luann)
"The answer for multiplying 9 always adds to nine. (9x9=81) Take
the number other than 9, which is 9 in this case go one less for the first
number in the answer 8 and ask 8+?=9, 8+1=9- so your answer is 81 9x8=?
8-1=7, and 7+2=9 so 72 is the answer. 9x7=? 7-1=6, 6+3=9 so your answer
is 63. It makes sense to me! And was easier for me than the counting with
the fingers. "
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History
Lesson
From T2T contributor Paul F. Grant, Middle School Teacher, Phoenix, AZ
Mahatma
Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced
an impressive set of callouses on his feet. He also ate very little, which
made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath.
This made him what?
A super
calloused fragile mystic plagued with halitosis.
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