Multiplication as Repeated Addition
Understand multiplication as adding equal groups again and again.
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Multiplication is a fast way to add equal groups.
In this lesson you will:
- Explain what multiplication means.
- Turn equal groups into a multiplication sentence.
- Use repeated addition to find a product.
Equal Groups
Look at 3 baskets with 4 oranges in each basket. Instead of counting every orange one by one, we can say: 3 groups of 4.
- 3 groups of 4 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
- We write it as 3 × 4 = 12.
- The answer to a multiplication is called the product.
Repeated Addition
Multiplication is simply repeated addition. If the groups are not equal, we cannot use multiplication. 5 + 3 + 4 is just addition, but 5 + 5 + 5 is 3 × 5 = 15.
Worked example
A desk has 2 legs? No — a chair normally has 4 legs. Six chairs have 6 groups of 4 legs.
4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 24, so 6 × 4 = 24 legs.
Tip Always check that the groups are equal before you multiply.
Practice
- Write 4 + 4 + 4 as a multiplication sentence and solve it.
- How many days are in 3 weeks? Use 7 + 7 + 7.
- Draw 2 rows of 5 dots. Write the multiplication fact.
Recap
Multiplication is repeated addition of equal groups. The answer is called the product.
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Course contents
Multiplication and Division
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