Multiplication sentences

Multiplication is calculating the sum of groups of the same size.

There are lots of ways to build and describe multiplication problems.

Using repeated addition, you can add equal groups together, one by one.

A faster way would be to use some multiplication words like 'times' or 'multiplied by'.

This approach uses the multiplication symbol (×).

Complete this interactive activity to understand how to describe and use the multiplication sign in a maths problem. Then put your knowledge to the test.

When objects are placed in equal groups, it helps us to add or multiply them.

Look at these strawberries. There are 5 strawberries in each bowl and there are 4 bowls altogether.

There are the same number of strawberries in each group, which means the groups are equal.

When calculating the sum of groups of objects, you can add the numbers together. For example:

5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20

Adding together equal groups like this is called repeated addition.

But you can also use multiplication:

4 × 5 = 20

The 4 represents the number of groups and the 5 represents the number of strawberries in each group.

When writing a multiplication sentence the multiplication symbol means ‘times’, ‘multiplied by’ or ‘groups of’.

Repeated addition and multiplication are two different ways of finding the same answer.

Example 2

Example 3