This worksheet guides students through the break apart strategy for multiplication, showing how to split larger factors into smaller, manageable parts like 1 and 2 to solve equations.

You're working with the Break Apart Strategy to multiply numbers by breaking one of the factors into smaller, easier-to-multiply parts — usually using 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 as suggested.

Let’s solve each problem step-by-step:

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🔹 Problem 1: 4 × 9

We need to break apart 9 into two numbers that are easy to multiply by 4. Since 9 = 5 + 4 (or 6 + 3), let’s use 5 + 4 because both are manageable.

So:
> (4 × 5) + (4 × 4)

Now calculate:
- 4 × 5 = 20
- 4 × 4 = 16

Add them:
20 + 16 = 36

✔ Answer:
```
(4 × 5) + (4 × 4)
20 + 16
Total: 36
```

*(Note: You could also do 6 + 3 → (4×6)+(4×3)=24+12=36 — same result!)*

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🔹 Problem 2: 6 × 8

Break apart 8 into easy parts. Good choices: 5 + 3, or 4 + 4, or 6 + 2.

Let’s use 5 + 3.

So:
> (6 × 5) + (6 × 3)

Calculate:
- 6 × 5 = 30
- 6 × 3 = 18

Add them:
30 + 18 = 48

✔ Answer:
```
(6 × 5) + (6 × 3)
30 + 18
Total: 48
```

*(Alternative: 4 + 4 → (6×4)+(6×4)=24+24=48 — also correct!)*

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🔹 Problem 3: 3 × 5

Break apart 5 into 2 + 3 (since 3 is one of the “easy” factors mentioned).

So:
> (3 × 2) + (3 × 3)

Calculate:
- 3 × 2 = 6
- 3 × 3 = 9

Add them:
6 + 9 = 15

✔ Answer:
```
(3 × 2) + (3 × 3)
6 + 9
Total: 15
```

*(Alternative: 4 + 1 → (3×4)+(3×1)=12+3=15 — also works!)*

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## ✔ Final Answers Filled In:

| Expression | Break Apart | First Product | Second Product | Total |
|------------|-------------|---------------|----------------|-------|
| 4 × 9 | (4 × 5) + (4 × 4) | 20 | 16 | 36 |
| 6 × 8 | (6 × 5) + (6 × 3) | 30 | 18 | 48 |
| 3 × 5 | (3 × 2) + (3 × 3) | 6 | 9 | 15 |

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## 💡 Why This Strategy Works:

The Break Apart Strategy uses the Distributive Property of multiplication over addition:

> a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a × c)

By splitting one factor into two smaller addends, you turn a harder multiplication into two easier ones — and then add the results.

This helps build number sense and mental math skills!

Let me know if you want to try more examples or see visual models (like area models) for these!