Multiplication Table Review

Posted by Jennifer

App Name: Multiplication Table

Overall Rating: 5/5

Mom’s Rating: 5/5

Kids’ Rating: 5/5

Recommended Grades/Ages: Grades 2-6

Skills Developed: Multiplication, Skip Counting, Prime Numbers

Available On/Price: iPad – $3.99

Reviewed on: iPad

App Description:

Multiplication Table is an innovative new way to visualize the multiplication table.  Containing five main screens, children can explore major multiplication concepts through color, shape, pattern, and form.

Table – this is the main activity, a visual multiplication table that can be tappepd to display multiplication problems visually.  The grid can be tapped at any point to reveal a visual area in yellow that demonstrates a numerical value.  Equations then appear to the side (all of the applicable multiplication problems that can make up the selected area on the table).

When one of these equations is tapped it changes the color of the groups accordingly to clearly visualize the groups required to make up the total.  Each group receives its own color.  Tapping any number on the sides of the table displays all of the possible equations for that line of the table, which can then be tapped and displayed.

Solve – This is a uniquely organic way to internalize the multiplication table.  Te table appears filled in, but any number when tapped floats to the side of the grid.  Entire rows and columns can also be tapped to remove.  These numbers can then be placed back on the table as a sort of multiplication table puzzle.  Tapping the white semi-circle removes all the numbers, tapping it again restores them all.

Groups – This is perhaps more difficult to explain and initially understand, but it is beautifully useful in action.  When a number is tapped on the grid from 1-100, the possible multiplication equations appear on the right side.  When one of these equations is tapped the grid displays the colored groupings visually.  When the white pie shape in the corner is tapped, an animation displays the grouping that the multiplication sentence is made of.  You can also switch between equations to see various groupings animate.

Multiples – Displaying in a traditional hundred board grid or a gorgeous spiral, any number can be tapped to see its multiples appear.  Any of its multiples can then be tapped to see its equation to the side.  Multiple numbers can also be tapped to see all of the multiples at once.  This can be used to demonstrate skip counting visually or to find prime numbers as well as examining how multiples can be displayed as multiplication equations.

There are some simple settings that allow the main activities to float on the home screen, or to remain static, and to set the app background to black or white.  All of the screens save progress so they can be returned to at any point.

What We Liked:

Multiplication Table is breath taking.  Powerful, under-stated, and focused on the conceptual exploration and understanding of the multiplication tables; I’ve never seen anything like it.  Being so strongly visual and mathematically oriented this app is a bit tricky to describe in words, though I’ve tried in my description above.  Having it in-hand and exploring its functions is the best way to get to know this app.  Ah-hah moments will quickly follow.

After quickly becoming impressed with the clear presentation of multiplication this app includes, I used it to demonstrate grouping concepts with my daughter as well as the underlying groups that make up the multiplication table.  She was impressed, and the visual, color-coded representations make this an ideal tool to teach with.

There is no game here, no timer, no score, just a variety of high-quality interactive models for free exploration or concentrated teaching that can easily focus in on specific multiplication families and other targeted learning goals.  This is a thorough tool that can be used to tackle precise sections of the multiplication table (or the whole) from a variety of different angles to reinforce learning.

All of idevbook’s math apps are designed with minimalistic, functional stylings, but they have never been as sleek as Multiplication Table.  The app reminds me of Apple itself – smooth lines, clear design, and fluid interactivity. This is as artsy a math app as I’ve ever come across.

What We Didn’t Like:

Not a dislike, but a caveat – there is a learning curve with this app.  It has quite a few ways to interact with the multiplication table, and because these are intriguing and often unfamiliar (to parents) ways to conceptualize multiplication, it takes a while to learn your way around.  Use the in-app help, and explore yourself before sharing with your child.  Because of its open-ended nature it would be nice to have a teaching guide available to accompany this interactive tool.

Overall:

Multiplication Table is a groundbreaking new way to visualize and interact with the multiplication table.  It is quite clearly created by a lover of math who appreciates the patterns and order to be found within the discipline.  The multiple exploratory ways to interact with the multiplication table will help you teach your child to think about multiplication as a visual, orderly, and most importantly – understandable concept.

Buy this iPad app now for $3.99!

Have you downloaded this app?  Let us know what you and your children thought – leave a comment!