Patterns in multiplication tables

The  exercise appears under the 3rd Grade Math Mission. This exercise practices the multiplication tables and tries to encourage finding patterns regarding size of numbers

Types of Problems
There is one type of problem in this exercise:


 * 1) Use the table and compare two spots: This problem provides a mini-multiplication table and two spots are labeled with variables. The student is asked to find the values of the two spots that are missing, and then compare with each other in terms of size.Pimt1.png

Strategies
Knowledge of multiplication tables are a great advantage on this exercise, but this knowledge can be increased by performing the exercise.
 * 1) Finding the values of the missing spots can be done by skip-counting in the columns or rows.
 * 2) The A and the B are not always the first that are read, so it is important to be careful to write them in the appropriate slots.
 * 3) If the two variables are symmetric over the diagonal, then the values will be the same.
 * 4) In the drop-down chart, the values are <, >, and =.
 * 5) The answer in the first drop-down will be identical to the answer in the second if the problem is being performed correctly.

Real-life applications

 * 1) Multiplication tables lessen the need for reliance on calculation devices, which assists with many arithmetic skills such as fractions.
 * 2) Strong knowledge of the multiplication table helps to make quick mental estimations for arithmetic problems.
 * 3) Pattern recognition is a common skill on IQ tests.