(Topic 5 Task 2) Fact Families in Math

Aug 20, 2025

Overview

This lecture explains how to use fact families to solve multiplication and division problems, showing how numbers in a family are connected by these operations.

What is a Fact Family?

  • A fact family is a set of related multiplication and division equations that use the same three numbers.
  • Fact families can be visualized as triangles connecting the three related numbers.

Using Fact Families for Multiplication

  • To find a missing product, use the two smaller numbers to get the largest (e.g., 5 × 4 = 20).
  • The order of multiplication does not matter (e.g., 4 × 5 = 20).

Using Fact Families for Division

  • Division equations use the largest number divided by one of the smaller numbers to get the other (e.g., 20 ÷ 5 = 4).
  • Reversing the small number and divisor gives the other division fact (e.g., 20 ÷ 4 = 5).

Practice Examples

  • Fact family with 6, 7, and 42: 6 × 7 = 42, 7 × 6 = 42, 42 ÷ 6 = 7, 42 ÷ 7 = 6.
  • Fact family with 8, 9, and 72: 8 × 9 = 72, 9 × 8 = 72, 72 ÷ 8 = 9, 72 ÷ 9 = 8.
  • Fact family with 5, 7, and 35: 5 × 7 = 35, 7 × 5 = 35, 35 ÷ 5 = 7, 35 ÷ 7 = 5.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Fact Family — A group of related math facts using the same three numbers.
  • Product — The result of multiplying two numbers.
  • Dividend — The number being divided in a division equation.
  • Divisor — The number by which the dividend is divided.
  • Quotient — The result of a division problem.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Practice building fact families for other groups of three numbers.
  • Be ready to identify or write all four equations for a given fact family.