What is multiplication?

Multiplication is a quick way of doing repeated addition. Instead of adding the same number many times, we use × (times). Example: 4 × 3 means 4 groups of 3 or 3 added 4 times: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.

Simple stories (Kenyan context)

• There are 5 pupils in each row and 4 rows: total pupils = 5 × 4 = 20.
• A farmer has 3 bags and each bag has 10 kg of maize: total = 3 × 10 = 30 kg.
• Each mango tree has 6 fruits. If there are 7 trees: fruits = 6 × 7 = 42.

Ways to think about multiplication

• Repeated addition: 4 × 6 = 6 + 6 + 6 + 6.
• Array (rows and columns): Use rows and columns to show groups.
• Skip counting: Count by the number: 6, 12, 18, 24 for 4 × 6.
• Number line: Make jumps of the same size along a line.

Visual: array for 3 × 4

Multiplication facts (times table 1–12)

Properties of multiplication (simple)

• Commutative: 3 × 4 = 4 × 3 (order does not matter).
• Associative: (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4) (grouping does not matter for more than two).
• Identity: any number × 1 = the same number (7 × 1 = 7).
• Zero rule: any number × 0 = 0 (5 × 0 = 0).

How to multiply 2-digit by 1-digit (step-by-step)

Example: 23 × 4

1. Multiply the ones: 3 × 4 = 12. Write down 2, carry 1.
2. Multiply the tens: 2 × 4 = 8. Add the carry 1 → 9. Write 9 in tens place.
3. Answer: 23 × 4 = 92.

Number line method (visual)

To do 4 × 5, start at 0 and make 4 jumps of 5:

Practice questions

1. Write as multiplication: 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = ?
2. Find the answers: 6 × 7 = ? , 8 × 5 = ? , 9 × 3 = ?
3. If 12 pupils sit in each row and there are 3 rows, how many pupils? (Show multiplication)
4. Multiply: 27 × 3 = ? (show steps)
5. Show 5 × 6 as an array (draw or describe).

Answers

1. 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 5 × 4 = 20
2. 6 × 7 = 42; 8 × 5 = 40; 9 × 3 = 27
3. 12 × 3 = 36 pupils
4. 27 × 3: ones 7×3=21 write 1 carry 2; tens 2×3=6 plus 2 = 8 → 81
5. 5 × 6 as array: 5 rows of 6 or 5 columns of 6 = 30 (draw 5 rows each with 6 dots)