Lots of equal groups
Grades 3–4The big idea
Multiplication is adding the same-size group again and again.
Think of it like rows of seats in a tiny movie theater: 4 rows with 3 seats each: instead of adding 3 + 3 + 3 + 3, you say '4 rows of 3'.
Fill the theater rows
Our little theater has 4 rows, and each row has 3 seats. Rather than count every seat, notice every row is the same: 3 seats, 4 times.
👉 Fill 4 rows of 3 seats. How many seats in all?
rows4
seats/row3
4 rows of 3 = 12 seats.
Wonder out loud
These are good questions to ask: yourself, a grown-up, or your math helper.
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