Last reviewed: 12 November 2026
Updated November 2026. These Grade 6 multiplication notes show how to multiply a number of up to four digits by a two-digit number, how to estimate a product by rounding to the nearest ten, and how to spot multiplication patterns. Quick example: 2,345 × 26 = (2,345 × 20) + (2,345 × 6) = 46,900 + 14,070 = 60,970. A quick estimate, 2,350 × 30 = 70,500, tells you the answer should be in the tens of thousands, so 60,970 is sensible.
The questions here are original practice for upper primary learners in Kenya. The skills follow the Multiplication sub-strand of Numbers in the Grade 6 Mathematics design on the KICD curriculum designs page. For the full list of Grade 6 topics, use the Grade 6 maths revision guide and the Grade 6 notes hub.
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Multiplying a 4-Digit Number by a 2-Digit Number
The design lists several methods: fact families, skip counting, a multiplication chart, the expanded form and the long method. They all rest on one idea: split the two-digit number into tens and ones, multiply by each part, then add. OpenStax Prealgebra’s section on multiplying whole numbers sets out the same column method.
Expanded form method
Find 1,208 × 34.
- 1,208 × 30 = 36,240
- 1,208 × 4 = 4,832
- Add: 36,240 + 4,832 = 41,072
Long (column) method
Write 3,415 above 47, lining up the ones. Multiply 3,415 by 7 to get 23,905. Write a 0 in the ones place on the next line (because the 4 is really 40) and multiply 3,415 by 4 to get 136,600. Add the two lines: 23,905 + 136,600 = 160,505.
The most common slip is forgetting the zero on the second line, which makes the answer ten times too small for that part.
Fact families
A fact family links multiplication and division. From 24 × 15 = 360 you also know 15 × 24 = 360, 360 ÷ 15 = 24 and 360 ÷ 24 = 15. Checking an answer by dividing back is a good habit.
Estimating Products by Rounding Off
To estimate, round each number to the nearest ten, then multiply. This tells you roughly how big the answer should be.
Worked example: school uniforms
A school buys 38 sweaters at KSh 1,247 each. Estimate: 1,250 × 40 = KSh 50,000. Exact: 1,247 × 38 = 37,410 + 9,976 = KSh 47,386. The estimate is close, so the exact answer is reasonable.
The design also mentions compatible numbers: numbers that are easy to multiply in your head. 25 × 4 = 100, so 25 × 48 can be thought of as 25 × 4 × 12 = 1,200.
Making Patterns With Multiplication
Patterns help learners see how products grow. The design limits these to products that do not exceed 1,000.
- Multiplying by 10 adds a zero: 7 × 10 = 70, 7 × 100 = 700.
- Doubling pattern: 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480, 960. Each term is the one before × 2.
- Multiples of 25: 25, 50, 75, 100 … 1,000 (25 × 40).
- Square pattern: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 … each is a number times itself.
To find the missing number in 12, 36, 108, __, notice each term is × 3, so the next is 324.
Original Practice Questions With Worked Answers
- Work out 2,316 × 23. 2,316 × 20 = 46,320; 2,316 × 3 = 6,948; total 53,268.
- Work out 4,009 × 15. 4,009 × 10 = 40,090; 4,009 × 5 = 20,045; total 60,135.
- Estimate 589 × 42 by rounding to the nearest ten. 590 × 40 = 23,600.
- A lorry carries 1,350 bags of maize per trip. How many bags in 24 trips? 1,350 × 24 = 27,000 + 5,400 = 32,400 bags.
- Complete the pattern: 8, 40, 200, __. Each term × 5, so 1,000.
- Use a fact family: if 36 × 25 = 900, what is 900 ÷ 36? 25.
Cover the answers and try the questions first. Division, the reverse of multiplication, is in the Grade 6 division notes, and place value is revised in the Grade 6 whole numbers notes. Timed practice is in the Grade 6 CBC Challenge. These notes are free; full revision papers come with the KSh 20 Day Pass or the KSh 500 Monthly Pass. Free calculators and other revision aids are on the CBC Guides tools page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you multiply a 4-digit number by a 2-digit number?
Multiply the 4-digit number by the tens part and by the ones part of the 2-digit number separately, then add the two results. For 1,208 × 34, that is 36,240 + 4,832 = 41,072.
How do you estimate a product in Grade 6?
Round each number to the nearest ten and multiply. 589 × 42 is about 590 × 40 = 23,600.
Why do we put a zero on the second line in long multiplication?
Because the second line multiplies by the tens digit, so every value is ten times bigger. The zero holds the ones place.
What is a fact family?
A group of related multiplication and division facts using the same three numbers, such as 6 × 9 = 54, 9 × 6 = 54, 54 ÷ 9 = 6 and 54 ÷ 6 = 9.