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      Use knowledge of multiplication and division to solve comparison and change problems

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use knowledge of multiplication and division to solve comparison and change problems.

      Key learning points

      1. Change can be described using multiplication or division. Division can be represented as multiplication by a fraction.
      2. The sentence 'The __________ is ___ times the size of the __________' supports us to describe a comparison or change.
      3. If units are different, we should convert so that they are the same - this supports us to calculate.
      4. To find a missing factor, we can divide the product by the known factor.

      Keywords

      • Comparison - When a comparison is made, we are determining how different two objects are. In this case, how many times longer, taller or deeper an object is than another.

      • Change - A comparison can also be made between an object before, and then after, a change. Examples of a change include a change in height of a flower due to growth.

      Common misconception

      Manipulating equations can result in errors.

      To find a missing factor, we can use known facts where applicable, or we can divide the product by the known factor. Always encourage children to describe each part of the equation and what it represents.

      Teacher tip

      It is important that children are fluent with their times table facts so they can focus on the scaling structure without overload. Always offer practical examples where possible.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      One fifth times the value of £450 is

      Correct Answer: £90, 90, 90 pounds, £90.00

      Q2.
      A tree is six times the height it was when it was planted. It was 1 m 20 cm when it was planted. How tall is it now in metres and centimetres?

      6 m 60 cm
      Correct answer: 6 m 120 cm
      Correct answer: 7 m and 20 cm
      1 m 26 cm

      Q3.
      Sam has saved £10.50 Jacob has one tenth times the money that Sam has. How much money does Jacob have?

      £1.00
      £1.50
      Correct answer: £1.05
      15 p

      Q4.
      Dividing 770 ml by 7 is the same as mulitplying by which fraction?

      $${1}\over{6}$$
      Correct answer: $${1}\over{7}$$
      $${1}\over{5}$$
      $${7}\over{1}$$

      Q5.
      Alex can run 100 m in 30 seconds. A cheetah can run this far in one fifth of the time it takes Alex. The cheetah takes seconds to run 100 m.

      20 m
      Correct answer: 6 seconds
      20 seconds
      5 seconds

      Q6.
      The dolls house door is $${1}\over{10}$$ the height of a real door. The height of a real door is 2 m. What is the height of the dolls house door in cm?

      0.2 m
      Correct answer: 20 cm
      2 cm
      200 cm

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Jacob has a netball that has a mass of 500 g and a tennis ball that is one quarter of the mass of the netball. Does this bar model represent this?

      An image in a quiz
      Yes
      Correct answer: No

      Q2.
      Jacob has a netball that has a mass of 500 g and a tennis ball that is one quarter of the mass of the netball. The mass of the tennis ball is g

      Correct Answer: 125, 125g, one hundred and twenty-five

      Q3.
      The jug contains a 1 l 500 ml volume of water. This is 3 times the 500 ml volume of water in the glass. Which equations represent this?

      1 l 500 ml × 3 = 500 ml
      500 ml × $${1}\over{3}$$ = 1 l 500 ml
      Correct answer: 500 ml × 3 = 1 l 500 ml
      Correct answer: 1 l 500 ml × $${1}\over{3}$$ = 500 ml

      Q4.
      A flight to America takes 12 hours. A flight to Spain takes 3 hours. How many times as long is a flight to America than a flight to Spain?

      $${1}\over{4}$$ times as long
      3 times as long
      Correct answer: 4 times as long
      $${1}\over{3}$$ times as long

      Q5.
      Lucas is saving to buy a new games console. He needs £240. He currently has £30. He needs times his current amount to buy the new console.

      Correct Answer: 8, eight

      Q6.
      Lucas is saving to buy a new games console. He needs £240. He currently has £30. How much more money does he need to save? Does this bar model represent this problem?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: Yes
      No

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