Multiplication (of equal groups)
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Basics on the topic Multiplication (of equal groups)
Equal Groups Multiplication
Imagine the following: You want to bake a cake for your mother’s birthday and you are collecting the necessary ingredients. But, the quantities of all the ingredients are labeled using multiplication expressions on the packages, like 4 x 6 or 2 x 8. How can you determine the contents of the ingredients so you know how many ingredients are actually there? In this text you can learn how to model multiplication using equal groups for multiplication to determine amounts.
Equal Groups Multiplication – Definition
Multiplication is an elementary math concept. Let’s learn more about multiplication as equal groups and how to use multiplication strategies with equal groups to solve equal groups multiplication examples.
Multiplication always involves joining or adding equal groups. What are equal groups in Multiplication? Multiplication can be displayed by adding equal groups. This is a way of finding the total number of items in equal-sized groups. When we see a multiplication expression, like two times eight, think of 'times' as meaning 'equal groups of'. So we can also say this as two equal groups of eight. This tells us there are two equal groups with eight mushrooms in each!
Multiplying Using Equal Groups
This is how you multiply equal groups. The first factor, or number, tells us how many groups there are.
The second factor or number, tells us how many mushrooms are in each group.
When we model this, we can easily count all sixteen mushrooms to calculate the product, or answer. Equal groups and multiplication go hand in hand.
Equal Groups Multiplication – Example
Let’s practise teaching multiplication using equal groups with the example three times five. Using the idea of equal groups, we can say this is three equal groups of five. The first factor, three, tells us to draw equal groups for multiplication. We'll draw three large boxes to represent our groups.
Then, the second factor, five, tells us how many dots to make in each group. We'll make five dots in each box.
Now we can solve this by counting up all of the dots. There are fifteen dots in total, so the product of three times five is fifteen.
Equal Groups Multiplication – Summary of Steps
Remember, multiplication is a way of finding the total number of items in equal-sized groups. Using this idea of equal groups, we can restate any multiplication expression with the words 'equal groups of'.This helps us work out what to draw to find the answer:
| Step # | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | The first factor tells us how many groups, or boxes to draw. |
| 2 | The second factor tells us how many dots to draw in each. |
| 3 | Solve by counting up all the dots. |
| 4 | Write the product. |
Have you practised with equal groups multiplication worksheets yet? On this website, you can also find equal groups multiplication word problems and equal groups multiplication activities as well as interactive exercises.
Transcript Multiplication (of equal groups)
Chef Squeaks and Imani are checking ingredients for their cooking show, “Stuff Your Cheeks With Mr. Squeaks”.
They want to make sure the correct numbers of each ingredient are available.
All of the ingredients are labelled with a multiplication expression, one number times another number, that represents how much is in the container.
Let's help Chef Squeaks and Imani calculate how many ingredients they have by using "Multiplication (of equal groups)"
Multiplication is a way of finding the total number of items in equal-sized groups.
When we see a multiplication expression, like two times eight, think of 'times' as meaning 'equal groups of'.
So we can also say this as two EQUAL GROUPS of eight.
This tells us there are two equal groups with eight mushrooms in each!
The FIRST factor, or number, tells us how many groups there are.
The SECOND factor, or number, tells us how many mushrooms are in EACH group.
When we model this, we can easily count all sixteen mushrooms to calculate the PRODUCT, or answer.
For example, the jar of olives has the expression: three times five.
Using the idea of equal groups, we can say this is three equal groups of five.
The first number, THREE, tells us to make three groups.
We'll draw three large boxes to represent our groups.
Then, the second number, FIVE, tells us how many dots to make in each group.
We'll make five dots in each box.
Now we can solve by counting up all of the dots.
There are FIFTEEN dots altogether, so the product of three times five is fifteen.
There are fifteen olives in the jar!
Let's try it again with the tin of tomatoes.
The label says four times six.
Using this idea of equal groups, we can say this is FOUR equal groups of SIX.
The first number, FOUR, tells us to make four groups, so how many boxes should we draw?
We should draw four large boxes.
Then, the second number, SIX, tells us how many dots to make in each group, so how many dots should we draw in each box?
We should draw six dots in each box. How do we calculate the product?
We count up all of the dots!
There are TWENTY-FOUR dots in total, so the product of four times six is twenty-four.
There are twenty-four tomatoes in the tin.
Before we see if Chef Squeaks and Imani got what they needed, let's remember!
Multiplication is a way of finding the total number of items in equal-sized groups.
Using this idea of equal groups, we can restate any multiplication expression with the words 'equal groups of'.
This helps us to work out what to draw to find the answer.
The first number tells us how many groups, or boxes, to draw.
Then, the second number tells us how many dots to draw in each.
Solve by counting up all of the dots.
Finally, write the product.
Mr Squeaks and Imani have worked out that they DO have enough ingredients to record the next episode!
"Let's get these down to the kitchen, and I'll just leave this right here."
