Math Intervention 3–5 Grade

174 Multiplication and Division Concepts

Equal Products

CONCEPT:

What is the Equal Products Concept?

The equal products concept is a multiplication strategy based

on the idea that different multiplication equations can have

the same product. This concept involves manipulating the

multiplicand and the multiplier in a way that results in the

same product. We can double the multiplicand and halve

the multiplier (or vice versa) to create a new expression that

has the same product, for example, 25 x 6 = 50 x 3. In this

and other situations, doubling and halving to produce equal

products results in a problem that is easier to mentally solve.

The key is to know when this concept is most applicable.

Using the equal products concept helps students understand

number relationships and builds conceptual knowledge of

multiplication and division.

CCSS

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Number and Operations in Base Ten

Formative Assessment

To fi nd out if a student understands the equal products

concept, ask the student to solve the following equations:

15 x 2 = 25 x 12 = 35 x 6 = 75 x 16 =

Ask the student explain how he solves each problem. If the

student uses the traditional algorithm (successfully or not

successfully), ask him if he knows another way to solve the

equations. Encourage the students to solve the problems

using what they know about doubling and halving.