Multiplications

[Lilaclion]

Do all schools teach children how to do long multiplication using the grid method? It seems a very complicated way of calculating. I want to teach my daughter the method we were taught at school as it seems much simpler and quicker, but don't want to confuse my daughter. Can anyone explain the benefits of the grid method to me?

Ours are taught the grid method in yr3 and now in yr 4 they are doing 'my' way and the grid method. By yr 6 they were all doing 'my' way.

It breaks down the steps to they understand what is happening,

I suspect strongly that the grid method and the divisional "chunking" method were devised by non-mathematicians who didn't really get maths so think that looks easier. As far as I can see it's just a way of giving them more levels to make a mistake.

Dd2 (year 3) came home with a sheet of each and did them (with a couple of mistakes). ThenI showed her my method and let her do some like that. (no mistakes)

She came to me and asked why on earth were they being shown such a complicated way of doing it when there was a much easier method that I'd shown her.

It's a method that makes sense to children who are not confident with maths. Once they become confident they do it the way we did.

The grid method also makes sense when they start doing algebra and they have to learn things like how to work out thing like (a+b)(c+d).

The problem with the simpler method is that it works but they don't know why! Much better to start with the grid and move on when they see what is happening.

When I was at school I was taught in subtraction that you 'borrowed one-and if you borrow you pay back'. It works a dream and eventually I worked out what it actually does, but I doubt whether some people ever do. Mathematically it is a nonsense!

www.mumsnet.com/learning/maths/grid-method-explained

HTH

Please don't swear!
The phrase "Use the grid method" is banned by order of DD1!

She hates it and refuses to use it. I taught the normal way when she was little, oops!

I have subsequently tried to explain that it shows the process clearly, let's the teacher see where people have gone wrong etc.,
But she's not buying it. She just says lots of "stupid unnecessary writing" and hands her HW in done the normal way.

Fair enough startail, if she can explain what she is doing and why she is doing it.