Area Model/Partial Products Multiplication

 Welcome to our mini math lesson! Here I have the steps for our Partial products/area model for multi digit multiplication. The example is of a 3x2 problem. Before using this method we talked about expanded form of numbers: 342 = 300 + 40 + 2; we also spent time recognizing that 300 is equal to 3 * 100 and 3 *10*10 so that when we come to long multiplication we will be able to use this particular method the students are ready to break the numbers up and keep the math simple. This also ensures that students have a strong understanding of place value and number decomposition. 

1. Draw your box with 3 spaces vertically (3 rows)

2. Add one vertical line to make two horizontal spaces (2 columns)

3. Write your 3 digit number in expanded form on the left. 

4. Write your 2 digit number on top in expanded form. 

5. Multiply the 10's, 100's and 1000's together in each box, but not the value - so think 3*100; 4*10; 9*10

6. Cross out the zeros.

7. Now you are in Single Digit Multiplication Land! Multiply all the way across and down. 

8. Add your columns up.

9. Add the two sums

10. Circle your answer