Repeated Addition to Multiplication

Repeated Addition to Multiplication

Repeated addition means adding the same number over and over. Multiplication gives a shorter way to write that total.

1) Find the repeated addend

Look for the number that is being added each time. For example, in 3 + 3 + 3, the repeated addend is 3.

2) Count how many times it appears

Count the number of equal parts being added. In 3 + 3 + 3, the number 3 appears 3 times.

3) Write the multiplication sentence

Use:

• number of groups × number in each group

So 3 + 3 + 3 = 3 × 3.

If the sum is written in a different order, still identify the repeated number and the number of repeats.

4) Check your answer

You can check by multiplying or by adding again. For example:

• 3 × 3 = 9
• 3 + 3 + 3 = 9

Both give the same total, so the multiplication sentence is correct.

Quick tip

If the addends are not all the same, it is not repeated addition and cannot be rewritten as one multiplication sentence in the same way.