Multiply three 1-digit numbers

The process of multiplying three numbers together is similar to the process of multiplying two numbers, but it has one extra step.

First, you multiply two of the numbers, then you multiply the third number by the product of the first two.

Multiplication can be done in any order. You can choose the easiest way of multiplying the three numbers together.

Test out your knowledge of multiplying 3 single-digit numbers with this quiz, then read on to complete the page.

Here is an array. It shows 2 rows of 4 counters.

Or 4 counters multiplied by 2.

The multiplication sentence is:

4 × 2 = 8

Take a look at the next array. It shows 4 groups of 4 counters multiplied by 2.

The multiplication sentence is:

4 × 4 × 2 = 32

Order of multiplication

Here are 3 digit cards.

There are six different multiplication sentences that you can make from these three digits.

Explore those different multiplication sentences in this slideshow, to find out that the product is always the same.

This is because multiplication can be done in any order.

You can decide which order to multiply the numbers in to make a calculation easier.

Look at the multiplication sentences below.

Which one is the easiest for you to calculate in your head?

Looking at factors

Factors are numbers that can be multiplied together to get another number.

For example, 12 is the product of these factors:

You can use what you know about factor pairs that make 12, to create a calculation that involves multiplying 3 digits together to make 12.

Let's think about how to create the calculation:

When you multiply a number by 1, the product is always the number you started with.

So, if you put a 1 in the first box, then you can use the factors of 12 to complete the other missing parts:

If you put 2 in the first box, then the other two numbers need to be factors of 6, because 2 x 6 = 12.

Don’t forget - you can change the order of the numbers because multiplication can be done in any order.