Playing with multiplicative patterns and algorithms

Tasks to use

Here are some great tasks to use with your kids. For more, check out Term 2 from years 2-6 as well as the appropriate section in years 7-8 in the Lessons section.

Patterns for 2s, 5s, 3s, 9s

• Experiment 1: A number is a multiple of 2 if the last digit is a multiple of 2 (2, 4, 6, 8, ¹0)
• Experiment 2: A number is a multiple of 5 if the last digit is a multiple of 5 (5, ¹0)
• Experiment 3: A number is a multiple of 3 if the digits sum to a multiple of 3
• Experiment 4: A number is a multiple of 9 (3×3) if the digits sum to a multiple of 9 (3×3)

Combining rules

Combine rules from prime factors to create rules for composites

• Combination 1: A number is a multiple of 10 (2×5) if it follows the rules for both 2s and 5s
• Combination 2: A number is a multiple of 6 (2×3) if it follows the rules for both 2s and 3s
• Combination 3: A number is a multiple of 4 (2×2) if it follows the rules for 2s twice (last 2 digits are a multiple of 2×2). A number is a multiple of 8 (2x2x2) if it follows the rule for 2s three times (last 3 digits are a multiple of 2x2x2).