Multiplication for Kids: What Times Tables Mean (Grade 2 and Grade 3 Math)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are learning what multiplication really means. Once you understand it, times tables become much easier.

Multiplication is about equal groups. Here are three bags, and each bag has four marbles. Three groups of four. Let's draw them.

We could add them. Four plus four plus four equals twelve. Multiplication is a fast way to write this. Three times four equals twelve. Three groups of four is twelve.

Another way to see multiplication is an array, which is rows and columns. Here are two rows, with five in each row. Two times five. Count them. Five, ten. Two times five equals ten.

Here is a great trick. Turn the array on its side. Now it is five rows of two. Five times two. Same dots, same answer, ten. So two times five equals five times two. You can swap the numbers.

That trick cuts the times tables in half. If you know six times three is eighteen, then you also know three times six is eighteen. Two facts for the price of one.

Now it's your turn. Four times three. Draw four groups of three, or add three four times. Pause and try. Ready? Three, six, nine, twelve. Four times three equals twelve.

Great job! Remember, multiplication means equal groups, you can add the groups to check, and you can swap the numbers. Practice times tables in the Math Lab at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!