Maths topic

multiplication

Multiplication is a way to count equal groups. It tells us how many groups there are and how many are in each group.

Practise times tables Explore counters Back to topics

the big idea

Multiplication means equal groups. If each group has the same amount, we can count the groups more quickly with skip counting, repeated addition or a multiplication fact.

groups 4 groups
in each 2 in each group
total 4 × 2 = 8

make equal groups

Change the number of groups or the amount in each group and watch the multiplication change.

group 1
group 2
group 3
group 4

4 groups of 2 = 8

skip count2, 4, 6, 8 repeated addition2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8 multiplication fact4 × 2 = 8
groups
in each group

multiplication starts with equal groups

Multiplication counts groups that all have the same number in each group.

  • 1 group of 2 is 2.
  • 2 groups of 2 is 4.
  • 3 groups of 2 is 6.
  • The groups must be equal. If the groups are not the same size, it is not a multiplication fact yet.
group 1
1 group of 2 1 group of 2 = 2
group 1
group 2
2 groups of 2 2 groups of 2 = 4
group 1
group 2
group 3
3 groups of 2 3 groups of 2 = 6

skip counting by the group size

When every group has 2, each new group adds 2 more to the total.

  • For groups of 2, the totals go 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
  • Each number in the pattern is a multiple of 2.
  • Skip counting helps us hear and remember the facts.
1 group 2
2 groups 4
3 groups 6
4 groups 8
5 groups 10

+2 each time

multiplication as repeated addition

Multiplication is adding the same number again and again.

  • 4 groups of 2 can be written as 2 + 2 + 2 + 2.
  • The number being added is the amount in each group.
  • Repeated addition and multiplication show the same total.
group 1
group 2
group 3
group 4
2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8

the multiplication sign

The multiplication sign tells us to multiply. On this page, read it as groups of.

  • 4 × 2 can be read as 4 groups of 2.
  • The 4 tells how many groups.
  • The 2 tells how many are in each group.
  • The answer is the total: 4 × 2 = 8.
4 groups
×
2 in each group
=
8 total

learning multiplication facts

A multiplication fact is a multiplication sentence you can remember and use quickly.

  • 1 × 2 = 2 means 1 group of 2.
  • 2 × 2 = 4 means 2 groups of 2.
  • 3 × 2 = 6 means 3 groups of 2.
  • Facts are easier to learn when you connect them to groups, arrays and skip counting.
groups fact total
1 group of 2 1 × 2 2
2 groups of 2 2 × 2 4
3 groups of 2 3 × 2 6
4 groups of 2 4 × 2 8
5 groups of 2 5 × 2 10
6 groups of 2 6 × 2 12

arrays show equal groups in rows

An array arranges objects in equal rows and columns, so it can show multiplication clearly.

  • Rows can show equal groups.
  • Columns help us see the same total another way.
  • A 3 by 4 array has 3 rows of 4, so it shows 3 × 4 = 12.
row 1
row 2
row 3
3 rows 4 in each row 3 × 4 = 12

multiplication words

These words help us describe equal groups and facts.

1 group set

one set of objects being counted

2 group size in each

how many objects are in each equal group

3 skip count count by

count by the same step each time

4 × multiply

the multiplication sign

5 factor number in fact

a number being multiplied

6 product answer

the answer to a multiplication fact

7 array rows and columns

objects arranged in equal rows and columns

early multiplication facts

1 group of 2 2
2 groups of 2 4
3 groups of 2 6
4 groups of 2 8
5 groups of 2 10
4 × 2 8

real world examples

socks 4 pairs of socks means 4 groups of 2
wheels 3 bikes have 3 groups of 2 wheels
trays muffin trays show equal rows
chairs rows of chairs can make arrays
packs 5 packs of 10 pencils can be counted by tens
sport teams and groups can be counted with multiplication

quick multiplication quiz

Try a few multiplication ideas. This quiz only asks about ideas shown on this page.

What does multiplication count?

What is 3 groups of 2?

Which repeated addition matches 4 × 2?

When skip counting by 2, what comes after 2, 4, 6?

In 4 × 2 on this page, what does the 2 tell us?