Okay so last week my nephew was struggling big time with his multiplication tables, especially that pesky 15 times table. Flashcards just weren’t cutting it – kid kept zoning out after like two minutes. Got me thinking there’s gotta be a more natural way.
The ‘Add Half’ Lightbulb Moment
Remembered this weird coffee chat with my high school math teacher years ago about number patterns. Started scribbling in my notebook after dinner:
15 × 1 = 15 (obviously)
15 × 2 = 30
15 × 3 = 45
Then I’m staring at 15 × 4 = 60 and it hits me – half of 10×4 is 20, and 20 + 40 = 60. Wait, that’s messy…
Tried again:
For 15 × 6:
Step 1: 10×6 = 60
Step 2: Half of 60 = 30
Step 3: 60 + 30 = 90
Boom! 15×6=90. Did the happy dance right there in my pajamas.
Testing The Trick Live
Next morning ambushed my nephew before school:
Me: “Quick! What’s 15 times 7?”
Him: deer in headlights look
Me: “First get 10 times 7 – that’s?”
Him: “70”
Me: “Now half of 70 is?”
Him: “35… oh 70 plus 35 is 105!”
Kid’s eyes got huge like he discovered fire. Made him try three more:
- 15 × 8 = (10×8=80) + (half of 80=40) = 120
- 15 × 9 = (90) + (45) = 135
- 15 × 12 = (120) + (60) = 180
Why This Sticks Better
Noticed two huge advantages over flashcards:
First, breaking into steps gives brain processing time instead of panicking for the answer. Second, the half-and-add moves feel more like solving a puzzle than memorizing. Weirdly satisfying watching him stop counting fingers.
Been testing this daily after homework. Takes under 10 minutes total: five random problems using the method, then two without steps. Kid’s speed doubled in four days. Still catches him whispering “take half…” during drills but who cares – answers are right.
Bonus Realizations
Fun side effects nobody tells you:
1. Accidentally reinforces halves and doubles concepts
2. When he slipped on 15×11, immediately said “it’s just 15 more than 150” – self-correction!
3. Big confidence boost from “getting” the pattern instead of pure memorization.
Will I swear off flashcards completely? Nah – they’re decent for quick reviews. But for actual understanding? This half-add trick’s staying in our toolkit. Might bake cookies shaped like fractions to celebrate.