Introduction to Multiplication

A faster way to add

Imagine you have 3 bags, and each bag has 4 apples.

You could add them up: 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.

But there is a quicker way. We can say 3 × 4, which means 3 groups of 4.

The × sign means "times" or "groups of". So multiplication is just a fast way to add equal groups.

Reading a multiplication

In 3 × 4:

• The first number (3) tells you how many groups.
• The second number (4) tells you how many in each group.

So 3 × 4 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.

Repeated addition

Multiplication and repeated addition are two ways to write the same thing.

Multiplication	Repeated addition	Answer
2 × 5	5 + 5	10
4 × 2	2 + 2 + 2 + 2	8
3 × 3	3 + 3 + 3	9
5 × 2	2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2	10

Arrays: rows and columns

We can draw multiplication as an array — neat rows and columns.

Here is 3 × 4 drawn with dots:

● ● ● ●
● ● ● ●
● ● ● ●

There are 3 rows and 4 dots in each row. Count them all: 12 dots. That matches 3 × 4 = 12.

A handy trick

You can swap the numbers and get the same answer. This is the commutative property.

• 3 × 4 = 12
• 4 × 3 = 12

So if you know one fact, you also know its swap. That cuts your work in half!

Worked example

A garden has 5 rows of flowers. Each row has 2 flowers. How many flowers?

1. 5 rows, 2 in each → 5 × 2
2. 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10
3. There are 10 flowers.

Try it yourself

• Put toys into equal groups and write the multiplication.
• Draw an array for 2 × 6 and count the dots.
• Check that 6 × 2 gives the same answer.

Great job!

You now know multiplication is just adding equal groups. This is a big math skill!

When you are ready, build speed with Times Tables Made Easy, or review adding in Addition and Subtraction Made Easy.