Learning Map

Factor Pairs & Commutativity

Recognise and use factor pairs and commutativity in mental calculations

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

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Try this together

If your child needs to multiply '4 × 15', can they spot that splitting it into '4 × 5 × 3 = 20 × 3 = 60' is a clever shortcut — using factor pairs to make it easier?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on
All times tables to 12×12ages 8–9Finding factor pairs requires fluent table knowledge
Properties of Operationsages 8–9Using commutativity in factor pairs draws on properties understanding
Factor Pairs & Commutativitythis skill · ages 8–9
Unlocks
Factors, multiples, and primesages 9–11Recognising factor pairs at Y4 is prerequisite to systematically finding all factor pairs

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M4A02medium confidenceYear 4 · Algebra

recall and demonstrate proficiency with multiplication facts up to 10 x 10 and related division facts; extend and apply facts to develop efficient mental strategies for computation with larger numbers without a calculator

AC9M3A03medium confidenceYear 3 · Algebra

recall and demonstrate proficiency with multiplication facts for 3, 4, 5 and 10; extend and apply facts to develop the related division facts

AC9M5A01medium confidenceYear 5 · Algebra

recognise and explain the connection between multiplication and division as inverse operations and use this to develop families of number facts

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA3-MR-02medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 3
MA3-MR-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 3

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M5N02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · Number strand
VC2M5A01low confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · Algebra strand
VC2M3A03low confidenceMathematics · Level 3 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

All Multiplication & Division skills →