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Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Eleven Plus Methods

We are sometimes faced with yet another method of doing long multiplication.

“My teacher does not do it like that.”

“But Dad says I have to multiply by the number on the right.”

What would happen if yet another method was introduced?

Multiply 27 by 35.

Halve the numbers in the first column again and again. Ignore the remainders.

27
13
6
3
1

Double the numbers of the second number

35
70
140
280
560

Cross out the numbers in the second column that are opposite an even number.

The even number in the first list is 6 so the 140 of the second list is crossed out.

Add the remaining numbers.

Total = 945!

If this method is less confusing than that shown by the school then why not suggest to your child that he or she could contemplate an exploration of numbers and methods?

After all is teaching towards the eleven plus teaching a child to pass an examination or teaching a child about themselves?

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