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Maths Quiz - Year 2 Calculation - Multiplication in any Order (Questions)

Discover that 2 × 5 equals 5 × 2. Use arrays and equal groups to see why order doesn’t matter and solve multiplication quickly.

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(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Bead string groups either way: 2 groups of 5 is 10. 5 groups of 2 is also 10. Slide, slide, smile.

In KS1 Maths, Year 2 pupils learn that multiplication is commutative. Swapping the factors does not change the product, and arrays or bead strings make this clear to see.

Key Terms

Factor: A number being multiplied, such as 2 and 5 in 2 × 5.
Product: The result of multiplication, for example 10 in 2 × 5 = 10.
Commutative: The order can change: a × b = b × a.

Warm up your skills first: try the Multiplication Game before starting the quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What does “in any order” mean in multiplication?

It means you can swap the factors and get the same product, for example 2 × 5 = 5 × 2 = 10.

How do arrays prove 3 × 4 equals 4 × 3?

An array of 3 rows of 4 shows 12. Rotate it to see 4 rows of 3. The order changes, but the total stays 12.

Is subtraction or division also “in any order”?

No. Subtraction and division are not commutative. Swapping numbers changes the result.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

5 x 6 gives the same answer as...

[ ]	40 x 5
[ ]	4 x 50
[ ]	5 + 4
[ ]	6 x 5

2.

I don't know my 7 times table yet. How could I work out 5 x 7?

[ ]	By quickly learning the 7 times table
[ ]	By doing 7 x 5 instead
[ ]	By guessing the answer
[ ]	By adding 7 and 5 together

3.

Which number is missing?
? x 8 = 16

[ ]	4
[ ]	24
[ ]	12
[ ]	2

4.

Which of the following pairs give an answer of 20?

[ ]	20 x 2 and 2 x 20
[ ]	4 x 5 and 5 x 4
[ ]	10 x 4 and 4 x 10
[ ]	10 x 20 and 20 x 10

5.

What could make this calculation easier to work out?
5 x 12

[ ]	Quickly learning the 12 times table
[ ]	Adding the two numbers together
[ ]	Changing the numbers around to 12 x 5
[ ]	Finding the difference between the two numbers

6.

What is 50 x 2?

[ ]	52
[ ]	100
[ ]	25
[ ]	70

7.

What is 100 x 4?

[ ]	410
[ ]	40
[ ]	104
[ ]	400

8.

When you multiply two numbers...

[ ]	you can multiply them in any order
[ ]	you should add them first
[ ]	you will get an answer of more than 50
[ ]	you will also find the difference

9.

Which of the following pairs give an answer of 60?

[ ]	60 x 2 and 2 x 60
[ ]	30 x 2 and 2 x 30
[ ]	15 x 3 and 3 x 15
[ ]	40 x 4 and 4 x 40

10.

Which number is missing?
20 x ? = 80

[ ]	60
[ ]	40
[ ]	24
[ ]	4

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Multiplying and dividing

Maths Quiz - Year 2 Calculation - Multiplication in any Order (Answers)

1.

5 x 6 gives the same answer as...

[ ]	40 x 5
[ ]	4 x 50
[ ]	5 + 4
[x]	6 x 5

They both give an answer of 30

2.

I don't know my 7 times table yet. How could I work out 5 x 7?

[ ]	By quickly learning the 7 times table
[x]	By doing 7 x 5 instead
[ ]	By guessing the answer
[ ]	By adding 7 and 5 together

5 x 7 = 35 and 7 x 5 is 35 too

3.

Which number is missing?
? x 8 = 16

[ ]	4
[ ]	24
[ ]	12
[x]	2

If you know that 8 x 2 = 16, then 2 x 8 = 16 also

4.

Which of the following pairs give an answer of 20?

[ ]	20 x 2 and 2 x 20
[x]	4 x 5 and 5 x 4
[ ]	10 x 4 and 4 x 10
[ ]	10 x 20 and 20 x 10

4 x 5 = 20, as does 5 x 4

5.

What could make this calculation easier to work out?
5 x 12

[ ]	Quickly learning the 12 times table
[ ]	Adding the two numbers together
[x]	Changing the numbers around to 12 x 5
[ ]	Finding the difference between the two numbers

5 x 12 = 60 and 12 x 5 also gives the same answer

6.

What is 50 x 2?

[ ]	52
[x]	100
[ ]	25
[ ]	70

2 x 50 is much easier to work out!

7.

What is 100 x 4?

[ ]	410
[ ]	40
[ ]	104
[x]	400

Changing the order of the numbers makes this 4 x 100, which is easier to work out

8.

When you multiply two numbers...

[x]	you can multiply them in any order
[ ]	you should add them first
[ ]	you will get an answer of more than 50
[ ]	you will also find the difference

When multiplying two numbers, it doesn't matter which way round they go, you will still get the same answer

9.

Which of the following pairs give an answer of 60?

[ ]	60 x 2 and 2 x 60
[x]	30 x 2 and 2 x 30
[ ]	15 x 3 and 3 x 15
[ ]	40 x 4 and 4 x 40

2 x 30 gives an answer of 60, as does 30 x 2

10.

Which number is missing?
20 x ? = 80

[ ]	60
[ ]	40
[ ]	24
[x]	4

4 x 20 = 80 and 20 x 4 = 80 too