Equal Groups Multiplication

Equal groups multiplication

Multiplication can be shown as equal groups of objects. Each group has the same number of items, and the total is found by combining all the groups.

1. Read the picture

Look for:

• the number of groups
• the number in each group

For example, if there are 4 groups with 3 objects in each group, the multiplication is 4 × 3.

2. Count to find the total

You can count all the objects, or use repeated addition:

• 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12
• so 4 × 3 = 12

3. Write the multiplication sentence

Match the picture to the equation:

• groups × objects in each group = total

Be careful to keep the groups equal. If one group has a different number, it is not an equal-groups model.

4. Check your answer

Use one of these checks:

• count all the objects again
• add the same number repeatedly
• see whether the total matches the picture

If your total does not match, recount the groups and items in each group.

Quick tip

Start by identifying the groups, not just the individual objects. That makes it easier to build the multiplication sentence correctly.