Rules, Tricks & Interactive Practice for Upper Elementary Students
Long Multiplication Anchor Chart
Some students seem to learn multiplication facts overnight. Others struggle for months. Flashcards, Brain Gym exercises, and catchy songs work for some students — but one method that works for many is learning rules. Below you'll find nine rules proven to help students master multiplication facts, plus a special trick for impressing friends and family!
Hover over each card to reveal the rule and examples.
Any number times 1 equals the other number.
Any number times 10 equals the other number plus a zero.
Any number times 11 equals the other number doubled.
Skip count when multiplying by 2s.
Remember the 4s by doubling twice.
When you multiply 6 by an even number, they both end in the same digit!
Remember the sequence 5-6-7-8 to remember 7 × 8.
Skip count when multiplying by 5s.
Bend down the finger you're multiplying by 9. Count fingers on each side.
Once students have learned the multiplication facts 1–9, this trick is a great way to "show off"! This multiplication trick works with a very specific type of problem — but you can solve it in record time if you know the secret.
The trick works when you multiply a 2-digit number by a 2-digit number if:
Multiply the numbers in the ones place. Write the answer in the ones and tens place.
| Thousands | Hundreds | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 9 |
Multiply the tens digits together, then add one of the ones digits.
| Thousands | Hundreds | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
Combine both steps for your final answer!
This method works with any 2-digit × 2-digit multiplication problem — not just the special cases above. Think of it as a mental math strategy that follows traditional multiplication steps. Click through each step below to see how it works using 62 × 57 as an example.
Each problem below follows the special trick pattern. Solve them mentally, then check your answers!
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