Operations & Algebraic Thinking
GradesGrade 3Operations & Algebraic ThinkingIntroduction to Multiplication

Introduction to Multiplication

âœ–ī¸ Operations & Algebraic Thinking
âœ–ī¸

Introduction to Multiplication

Multiplication is the fast way to add equal groups!

Multiplication is a shortcut for adding the same number over and over. Instead of writing 4 + 4 + 4, we write 3 × 4. The first number tells us how many groups, and the second tells us how many are in each group.

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3 × 4 means "3 groups of 4" — just like 4 + 4 + 4 = 12!

Three baskets, each with 4 apples:

🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

3 groups × 4 apples each = 12 apples in all.

3×4=123 \times 4 = 12
🚗Cars in a parking lot
There are 5 rows of cars, and each row has 3 cars.
5 × 3 = 15
There are 15 cars in all!

How to think about multiplication:

1Identify the number of groups
2Identify how many are in each group
3Write the multiplication sentence: groups × per group = total
4Skip count or use repeated addition to find the product
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Remember This!

The answer in a multiplication problem is called the PRODUCT. The two numbers being multiplied are called FACTORS.

âœī¸ Try It!

There are 6 bags. Each bag holds 3 marbles. How many marbles in all?

Practice with CalcVerse
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