The ability to multiply on fingers is a valuable skill, and humanity knows how to count the multiplication table on fingers, at least since the 15th century. We can have mobile calculators, but in many cases, in fact, it’s easier to keep the phone in your pocket and multiply on the fingers. This technique can also be useful for toddlers who have problems while learning endless mathematical formulas.
You can start learning the multiplication table on the fingers after the child knows the multiplication from one to five. Already on the basis of this knowledge, you can develop a skill in the literal sense of manual multiplication. So, let's get started?
Multiplication table on the fingers: nine
Keep your hands in front of you, palms up. Each of your ten fingers represents a number. Moving from the thumb of the left hand to the thumb of the right hand, count numbers from one to ten.
Point your finger at the number you want to multiply by nine, down to your body. So, for example, if you want to decide how much 9x3 will be, you will need to hold the middle finger with your left hand. The middle finger represents the number three, because if you count your fingers from one to ten, starting with the thumb of your left hand, your middle finger is the third in a row.
We count
The problem is solved by counting the fingers to the left and to the right. First, count the fingers to the left of your bent finger - in this case there will be two. Then count the fingers to the right of your bent finger - in this case there should be seven. The first digit of the answer is two, and the second digit is seven. As a result, the answer is 27!
This is how the multiplication table by 9 on the fingers works. Try this with other numbers of nine. How would you multiply 9 by 2? How about 9 on 7? This method is incredibly simple and understandable even to kids. As practice shows, children are more willing and successful in studying mathematics, knowing this interesting way of counting the product of two numbers!
Multiplication table on the fingers of six, seven, eight and ten
Hold your hands so that your palms are facing your body and your fingers are facing each other. Again, each finger will be a number. Your little finger is number six. The ring finger will have a value of seven, the middle one - eight. The index fingers of your hands will symbolize the nine, and the thumbs - the ten. So, how to learn the multiplication table on the fingers?
Calculation scheme
In order to count the product of two numbers, you need to touch with two fingers, the numbers of which correspond to the numbers that you need to multiply.
For example, if you want to calculate what will be 7 * 6, you need to touch the left finger of the left hand (since it represents the number on the left) with the little finger of the right hand, since it means the number on the right. Again, remember that each finger represents a number, in which case your ring finger represents seven, and your little finger represents six. Therefore, you need to connect them to solve this mathematical problem.
You may need to bend your wrist in a weird way to count the product of two numbers! And who said it would be easy?
In order to make sure that you correctly understood the technique of the multiplication table on the fingers of six, seven, eight and ten, check yourself. If you need to calculate what the product of 9 and 7 will be equal to, then which fingers would you connect? Think! The answer will be in the next sentence.
So, consider that you learned the multiplication table on the fingers by six, seven, eight and ten, if as an answer which fingers you need to connect to calculate what the product of 9 and 7 is equal to, you have chosen the index finger of your left hand and the ring finger finger of the right hand. Case for small!
How to count?
The next step is simply to count the fingers that are touching, as well as the fingers under them. They will represent decimal numbers. In this case, you will count the ring finger on the left hand, the little finger on the left hand and the little finger on the right hand. Each finger that you count will be 10. In this case, the total amount is 30.
Multiply the remaining fingers. The next step is to add the number of fingers on each hand, not counting the fingers that touch each other. First, count the number of fingers on the left hand that are above the touching fingers - in this case there will be 3. Then, count the number of fingers of the right hand over the touching fingers - in this case there will be 4. 3 * 4 = 12. Add the two numbers obtained together, to find your answer. In this case, you need to add 30 to 12. The total amount will be 42. If 7 times 6, the answer will be the same and will be 42!
The finger multiplication table may seem complicated at first, however, if you look carefully, it is much easier to learn than the endless formulas in a real mathematical table.
Multiply by 10, using the same method. For example, if you want to find the answer, which will be 10 times 7, then start by touching the left finger with the thumb of the right hand. Count the number of fingers under the connecting fingers, including the fingers that touch each other. In total, you should get 7, which means 70. Then, count the number of fingers above the touching fingers of the right and left hand. There should be 0 to your left and 3 to your right. Now multiply 3 by 0 = 0 and add 70 to 0 for the answer. Answer 10 to 7 = 70!
Total
Try this with the other multiples of six, seven, eight and ten. How would you multiply 8 and 8 fingers? What about 8 and 10? If you are interested in the question of how to teach the multiplication table on the fingers of your child, then just try to include the practice of counting the product of various numbers in your daily routine. You will not notice how the baby begins to quickly not only count the product of two numbers, but also ultimately remember the multiplication table.
This is the whole appeal of this method - it is fun, makes you think logically, include mathematical abilities, and at the same time develops memory. What could be better for a child? Let's finally calculate what will be the product of 6 and 10? And 8 and 9? What about 7 and 8? Here is such an entertaining math.