Which order should I multiply numbers in?

NARRATOR: Hello Snoot. Hello Fin.

Packing for a trip?

Where are you going?

SNOOT: (ALIEN LANGUAGE)

NARRATOR: A long weekend on the planet Clorgon?

Well, if you insist.

I take there can’t be too much atmosphere on Clorgon, judging by the air tanks you’re packing?

How much air do you need?

SNOOT: Er… Ooh … Erm…

NARRATOR: Let’s see.

You’re going for 3 days, and there are 2 of you.

3 times 2 makes 6 days altogether, and each of you needs 4 air tanks per day.

So that’s 6 times 4, which is… 24.

FIN: (ALIEN LANGUAGE)

NARRATOR: OK Fin, if you don’t trust Snoot’s maths, show us how you’d do it.

There's 2 of you and you each need 4 air tanks per day.

2 times 4 is 8 air tanks per day for both of you.

If you’re going to be away for 3 days, you need to multiply 8 by 3.

8 times 3 is 24.

SNOOT: (ALIEN LANGUAGE)

Yes, I know Snoot, it’s the same as what you had.

That’s the thing about multiplication.

Even with 3 numbers to multiply, it doesn’t matter which order you do it in, you’ll always end up with the same answer.

You can do 3 times 2 times 4, you can do 2 times 4 times 3 – you’ll get 24 just the same.

You know, I’m not sure your bag’s big enough for that last tank.

FIN: (ALIEN LANGUAGE)

(LAUGHING)