Ready for some bar model challenges? Grab your pencil and use bar models to solve these multiplication and division problems!

Bar models are a fun way to solve math problems. The whole bar represents the total amount. The number of segments shows how many groups there are, and each segment represents the amount in each group. For example, Hamster Peggy gets 7 scoops of oats, and there are 5 oats in each scoop. To show this problem with a bar model, draw a long rectangle and divide it into 7 segments for the 7 scoops. Above or inside each segment, write 5, because that is the size of each group. You can either skip-count by 5 seven times or multiply 7 x 5 to get 35. You can also use bar models to solve division problems. Ready to give it a try? Study the examples, then complete the activities.