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Explain why the product stays the same when one factor is doubled and the other is halved

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explain why the product stays the same when one factor is doubled and the other is halved.

Key learning points

  1. When one factor is doubled and the other is halved, the product remains the same.
  2. Arrays can be rearranged to represent the product staying the same when one factor is doubled and the other halved.
  3. Doubling one factor and halving the other maintains equivalence.

Keywords

  • Equivalent - Equivalent means having the same value.

  • Factor - A factor is a number which exactly divides another whole number.

  • Product - The product is the result of two or more numbers multiplied together.

Common misconception

Pupils may double or halve both factors, instead of doubling one and halving the other.

Spend time exploring arrays and the area models (from Cycle B of the lesson). Model these misconceptions, showing why they are incorrect (e.g. show how 4 x 8 cannot be equivalent to 8 x 16).

Teacher tip

To ensure that pupils understand this, spend time exploring this concept using numbers facts that they are familiar with (e.g. numbers within the times tables that they already know). Use arrays and area models to show equivalence, getting pupils to manipulate these.

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.
What multiplication fact is represented by the array?

An image in a quiz
4 × 4 = 16
Correct answer: 4 × 5 = 20
4 × 6 = 24
5 × 5 = 25

Q2.
What is 7 × 6 =

Correct Answer: 42

Q3.
What is double 27?

Correct Answer: 54, fifty-four

Q4.
What is half of 70?

Correct Answer: 35, thirty-five

Q5.
What is the missing number in this equation? 6 × = 72

Correct Answer: 12, twelve

Q6.
What is the missing number in this equation? 11 × = 220

Correct Answer: 20, twenty

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the missing factor in the equation in this diagram?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 30

Q2.
What is the missing number in this equation? 8 × 10 = × 20

Correct Answer: 4

Q3.
What is the missing number in this equation? 6 × 13 = 26 ×

Correct Answer: 3, three

Q4.
Which expressions are equal to 34 × 24?

17 × 12
Correct answer: 17 × 48
Correct answer: 68 × 12
68 × 48

Q5.
Use scaling to help you find the product: 5 × 46 =

Correct Answer: 230

Q6.
Use scaling to help you find the product: 50 × 36 =

Correct Answer: 1,800

To help you plan your 6 maths lesson on: Explain why the product stays the same when one factor is doubled and the other is halved, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...