Five is half of ten, and ten is the easiest number there is to multiply by.
🪄 The trick: To multiply by 5, halve the number, then multiply by 10.
Example 1: 48 × 5
Half of 48 is 24
24 × 10 = 240
48 × 5 = 240
Example 2: 37 × 5 (an odd number)
Half of 37 is 18.5
18.5 × 10 = 185
37 × 5 = 185
Why it works
Multiplying by 5 is the same as multiplying by 10 and then halving. You can do the two steps in either order, so do whichever is easier.
Your turn
- 64 × 5
Show answer
320
- 86 × 5
Show answer
430
- 53 × 5
Show answer
Half of 53 is 26.5, so 265