Multiplication and Division are building block for math concept such as algebra, trigonomatery, calculas, geometry etc. It provides with the skills to problem solve, which again can be applied to everyday life. It can be introduced from a very young age, as its simplest form, simple activities such as making and sharing equal groups of blocks, introduces the child to multiplicative thinking and gives them basic skills.
Multiplication and division are opposite operations, and both have to do with groups of equal size. “Division by a number is related to multiplication by the same number and vice versa.” example: If 16 ÷ 8 = 2 then 8 × 2 = 16
In multiplication, the word ‘multiply’ is derived from latin word ‘multiplicare’. multi means ‘many’ and plicare means ‘folds’ or ‘many times greater in number.’ the word ‘divide’ was used in mathematics from the early 15th century, comes from the latin word ‘dividere’ means ‘distribute’.
Multiplication is repeated addition of a number. when two or more collections of the same size of objects are combined then multiplication can be use. example:
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 3 × 4
3 × 4 = 12 where, 3 = multiplicand, 4 = multiplier
and 12 = product
Division is repeated subtraction of a number or distributing a number into equal parts.
example: 12 ÷ 3 = 4
12 - 3 = 9 - 3 = 6 - 3 = 3 - 3 = 0
∵ number of repeated subtraction = 4
∴ 12 ÷ 3 = 4 where, 12 = Dividend, 3 = Divisor and 4 = Quotient, Remainder = 0
Dividend = Divisor × Quotient + Remainder
Properties of multiplication:
Commutative law: a × b = b × a
Associative law: a × ( b × c ) = ( a × b) × c
Distributive law: a × ( b + c ) = ( a× b) + ( a × c)
