These pages take a look at the various ways written multiplication is taught in schools, before arriving at the standard written method. Before carrying out any long multiplication an estimate of the answer should be done mentally and then compared to the final written answer to make sure it is sensible. In school children may be shown various methods of multiplying, which are all valid and aimed at ensuring understanding of the processes involved, before settling on the standard written method. Here are some of these: Method 1 uses partitioning of numbers in a horizontal layout. Method 2 uses a 'box' method, again partitioning numbers. Method 3 is the usual or standard long multiplication method leading to the short method, but multiplying by just a 1-digit number. Method 4 shows the standard written method for multiplying by a 2-digit number. Method 5 extends this to simple fractions. Go to year 5 written multiplication concepts