Skill: Check multiplication with division

To check a multiplication fact, use division. Division can “undo” multiplication.

If $a \times b = c$, then you can check it by finding either:

• $c \div a = b$
• $c \div b = a$

Example: Check whether $6 \times 7 = 42$.

1. Start with the product, $42$.
2. Divide by one of the known factors, such as $6$:

$$42 \div 6 = 7$$

3. The answer is the other factor, $7$. So the multiplication fact is correct:

$$6 \times 7 = 42$$

You could also check it by dividing by $7$:

$$42 \div 7 = 6$$

Remember that the order matters in division: $42 \div 6$ is not the same as $6 \div 42$.