This is a traditional algorithm for a multiplication problem. Did you know there are at least three ways to solve this problem?

This is called a partial. The idea is to break down the parts and then add up all the parts to get the whole!

The ratio table is amazing. I have 24 students and I need to find out our total box tops if each student brings in 18. In a ration table you always have 1 of something. Then 2, 4, 10 and 5 make up the core four. With these numbers you can pretty much get to any higher number by doubling and adding. To get 18 I doubled my 4 and added it to 10 for 18. We would have 432 box tops!

The area table is called an Iconic method of showing mathematics. It actually shows proportion. The other examples are symbolic because there is not portion representation. Again, a big part is broken down to several parts. Then the parts are added to get the whole!