Break Apart Ten Slides Grade 3 Math Superpower Multiplication Strategies
The Break-Apart Trick!
Using the Power of 10 to tame tricky multiplication problems.
10
Distributive Property
Break a big number into a friendly 10 + leftover ones!
Let's explore
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The Tricky Multiplication Challenge
Step 1: Spot the Problem
Does this look tough?
\(4 \times 13\)
Most of us haven't memorized our 13s times tables yet!
Our Friendly Hero
Number 10!
Multiplying by 10 is fast, fun, and super friendly.
Big Question: Can we break 13 into friendlier numbers we already know?
10
Break It Apart with a Ten!
The Secret Move
Look inside the number 13:
Tricky Number 13
Splits Into
Friendly Ten 10
Leftover Ones 3
\(13 = 10 + 3\)
Mathematicians call this the Distributive Property: we distribute (share) the multiplication!
1-2-3
4 Steps to Solve \(4 \times 13\)
The Recipe
1
Break Apart
Split the 2-digit number into 10 and ones.
\(13 = 10 + 3\)
2
Share 4
Multiply 4 by both parts.
\((4 \times 10) + (4 \times 3)\)
3
Multiply
Solve the two easy multiplication facts.
\(40 + 12\)
4
Add Up
Add the two smaller answers together.
Total = 52
So, \(4 \times 13 = 52\)! No hard calculations needed!
Guided Practice: \(6 \times 14\)
Think Time
How would you solve this?
\(6 \times 14 = ?\)
1. Break It
How can we break apart 14 into a ten and ones?
\(14 = 10 + \underline{\quad}\)
2. Multiply
What two friendly facts will you multiply with 6?
\((6 \times 10)\) & \((6 \times \underline{\quad})\)
3. Combine
What happens when you add the two answers together?
\(\underline{\quad} + \underline{\quad} = ?\)
Try it on your whiteboard! Ready to check your work?
Answer on next slide
Guided Practice: Steps & Answer
Solution Check
Step 1: Break Apart
Pull out that friendly 10:
\(14 = 10 + 4\)
One ten and four ones!
Step 2: Multiply Both
Multiply 6 by 10 and by 4:
\(6 \times 10 = 60\)
\(6 \times 4 = 24\)
Two quick friendly facts!
Step 3: Combine
Add the partial products:
\(60 + 24 = 84\)
\(6 \times 14 = 84\)
Awesome job! Breaking into 10 and 4 made \(6 \times 14\) simple to solve!
Turn & Talk with a Partner!
Your Turn to Be Math Detectives
Can you solve this together?
\(5 \times 12\)
Clue 1
Break 12 into 10 + __
Clue 2
What is \(5 \times 10\)?
Clue 3
Add those two answers together!
Share your answer and explain your thinking to your neighbor!
Goal: 60!
Your New Math Superpower
Summary
1
Find the tricky 2-digit number (like 12, 13, 14, or 15).
2
Break off a friendly 10 and the leftover ones.
3
Multiply both parts by the outside number.
4
Add the two parts together to get your total!
Remember the Big Idea
When a factor feels too big, break it into facts you already know!
\(a \times (10 + b) = (a \times 10) + (a \times b)\)
You are now ready to tackle any teen-number multiplication with confidence!
Break Apart Ten Worksheet The Break-Apart Trick!
Distributive Property with Friendly Tens • Grade 3 Math
Name:
Date:
HOW IT WORKS
Break apart the tricky number into 10 + ones, multiply both pieces, then add them together!
\(3 \times 14 = (3 \times 10) + (3 \times 4) = 30 + 12 = 42\)
PART 1
Warm-Up: Break Off the Friendly Ten!
Split each two-digit number into 10 and the leftover ones.
13
= 10 +
15
= 10 +
12
= 10 +
16
= 10 +
PART 2
Guided Practice: Follow the 3 Steps
Fill in each blank to solve the multiplication problem.
1 \(4 \times 12\)
Break apart 12
Step 1: Break 12 into 10 +
Step 2: Multiply: \((4 \times 10) = \) and \((4 \times \) \() = \)
Step 3: Add: + =
\(4 \times 12 = \)
2 \(3 \times 15\)
Break apart 15
Step 1: Break 15 into 10 +
Step 2: Multiply: \((3 \times 10) = \) and \((3 \times \) \() = \)
Step 3: Add: + =
\(3 \times 15 = \)
Grade 3 Distributive Property • Break Apart Strategy Turn to Page 2 for Independent Practice →
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Independent Practice & Problem Solving
Name:
PART 3
Your Turn: Show the Steps!
Break apart the teen number using a 10. Write out the steps and find the product.
\(5 \times 13\) Split 13: 10 + 3
\((5 \times 10) = \) _____ \((5 \times 3) = \) _____
Add: _____ + _____ =
Answer: \(5 \times 13 = \) _____
\(7 \times 12\) Split 12: 10 + 2
\((7 \times 10) = \) _____ \((7 \times 2) = \) _____
Add: _____ + _____ =
Answer: \(7 \times 12 = \) _____
\(4 \times 14\) Split 14: 10 + 4
\((4 \times 10) = \) _____ \((4 \times 4) = \) _____
Add: _____ + _____ =
Answer: \(4 \times 14 = \) _____
\(6 \times 13\) Split 13: 10 + 3
\((6 \times 10) = \) _____ \((6 \times 3) = \) _____
Add: _____ + _____ =
Answer: \(6 \times 13 = \) _____
PART 4
Real-World Story Problem
Maya is setting up 4 party tables for her birthday. Each table gets 14 balloons. How many balloons does she need in all?
• Break apart 14: \(14 = 10 + \)
• Multiply: \((4 \times 10) = \) _____ and \((4 \times 4) = \) _____
• Add together: _____ + _____ = _____
Total: ________ balloons
How confident do you feel with the Break-Apart 10 strategy?
Need more practice Getting it! Math superhero!
Grade 3 Distributive Property • Break Apart Strategy Page 2 of 2
Break Apart Ten Answer Key The Break-Apart Trick!
Answer Key
Teacher Reference & Scoring Guide • Grade 3 Math
Total Possible 100 Points / 10 Items
Look for evidence that students decomposed into a ten and multiplied both parts.
Page 1: 40 pts
PART 1
Warm-Up: Break Off the Friendly Ten!
(5 pts each / 20 pts total)
13
= 10 + 3
15
= 10 + 5
12
= 10 + 2
16
= 10 + 6
PART 2
Guided Practice: Follow the 3 Steps
(10 pts each / 20 pts total)
1 \(4 \times 12\)
Target: 48
Step 1: Break 12 into 10 + 2
Step 2: Multiply: \((4 \times 10) = \) 40 and \((4 \times \) 2 \() = \) 8
Step 3: Add: 40 + 8 =
\(4 \times 12 = \) 48
2 \(3 \times 15\)
Target: 45
Step 1: Break 15 into 10 + 5
Step 2: Multiply: \((3 \times 10) = \) 30 and \((3 \times \) 5 \() = \) 15
Step 3: Add: 30 + 15 =
\(3 \times 15 = \) 45
Common Misconception Alert: Watch out for students who write \((4 \times 10) + 2 = 42\). Emphasize that the outside factor (4) must be shared with both parts of 12!
Teacher Answer Key • Grade 3 Math Page 1 of 2
KEY
Part 3 & 4: Worked Solutions & Scoring
Page 2: 60 pts
PART 3
Independent Practice Solutions
(10 pts each / 40 pts total)
\(5 \times 13\) 13 = 10 + 3
\((5 \times 10) = \) 50 \((5 \times 3) = \) 15
Add: 50 + 15 = 65
Answer: \(5 \times 13 = \) 65
\(7 \times 12\) 12 = 10 + 2
\((7 \times 10) = \) 70 \((7 \times 2) = \) 14
Add: 70 + 14 = 84
Answer: \(7 \times 12 = \) 84
\(4 \times 14\) 14 = 10 + 4
\((4 \times 10) = \) 40 \((4 \times 4) = \) 16
Add: 40 + 16 = 56
Answer: \(4 \times 14 = \) 56
\(6 \times 13\) 13 = 10 + 3
\((6 \times 10) = \) 60 \((6 \times 3) = \) 18
Add: 60 + 18 = 78
Answer: \(6 \times 13 = \) 78
PART 4
Story Problem Solution & Scoring Rubric
(20 pts total)
Maya is setting up 4 party tables for her birthday. Each table gets 14 balloons. How many balloons does she need in all?
• Break apart 14: \(14 = 10 + \) 4 (5 pts)
• Multiply: \((4 \times 10) = \) 40 and \((4 \times 4) = \) 16 (5 pts each)
• Add together: 40 + 16 = 56
Total: 56 balloons (5 pts)
Differentiation & Next Steps:
Need Support: Provide base-ten blocks (one 10-rod and unit cubes) to physically model each group.Ready for Extension: Challenge students to use the strategy with 20s (e.g., \(3 \times 24 = (3 \times 20) + (3 \times 4)\)).
Teacher Answer Key • Grade 3 Math Page 2 of 2
