Multiplication sentences

Key Notes :

Arrays are objects or pictures arranged into rows and columns. You can use arrays to represent and solve multiplication problems.

This array has 3 rows of dots.

Twelve dots arranged into three rows of four. The rows are labeled "row 1", "row 2", and "row 3".

Each row has 4 dots.

Twelve dots arranged into three rows of four. The four dots in the first row are labeled 1, 2, 3, 4.

You can use these numbers to write a multiplication sentence that matches the array:

The equation three times four equals twelve, with each number labeled in reference to the array. The three shows the number of rows, the four shows the number of dots in each row, and the twelve shows the total number of dots.

Let’s try it. Make an array to solve 4×5.

The first number is 4. So, the array will need 4 rows. The second number is 5. So, each row will have 5 dots.

Twenty dots arranged into four rows of five.

There are 20 dots in total. So, 4×5=20!

Learn with an example

Write the multiplication number sentence shown here:

Type the complete multiplication number sentence (for example, 2 × 3 = 6).

Count the groups. There are 5 groups.

Count the babies in each group. There are 4 babies in each group.

There are 5 groups of 4. The first part of the multiplication number sentence is 5 × 4.

Now find the product of 5 and 4. You can count all the babies, or you can skip-count by fours. There are 20 babies.

The multiplication number sentence is 5 × 4 = 20.

Write the multiplication number sentence shown here:

Type the complete multiplication number sentence (for example, 2 × 3 = 6).

Count the groups. There are 5 groups.

Count the hats in each group. There are 5 hats in each group.

There are 5 groups of 5. The first part of the multiplication number sentence is 5 × 5.

Now find the product of 5 and 5. You can count all the hats, or you can skip-count by fives. There are 25 hats.

The multiplication number sentence is 5 × 5 = 25.

Write the multiplication number sentence shown here:

Type the complete multiplication number sentence (for example, 2 × 3 = 6).

Count the groups. There are 4 groups.

Count the ice cream cones in each group. There are 4 ice cream cones in each group.

There are 4 groups of 4. The first part of the multiplication number sentence is 4 × 4.

Now find the product of 4 and 4. You can count all the ice cream cones, or you can skip-count by fours. There are 16 ice cream cones.

The multiplication number sentence is 4 × 4 = 16.

Try some practice problems!