Equal groups and arrays make multiplication easy to see.
What Is Multiplication? introduces third graders to multiplication as equal groups: 3 groups of 4 is 3 × 4. Kids use arrays, skip counting and repeated addition to see what the × sign really means, before they start memorizing times tables.
Math course · Grade 3
What Is Multiplication? · Learning goals
Learn that multiplication means equal groups: 3 groups of 4 is 3 × 4. Use arrays, skip counting and repeated addition.
Why it matters
Kids who see multiplication as equal groups remember their times tables better and can work out facts they forget.
Multiplication is the biggest new idea in third grade and leads to division, area, fractions and more.
Packs of juice boxes, rows of seats and wheels on cars are all multiplication. Kids start to notice it everywhere.
Inside What Is Multiplication?
A short read-aloud lesson first, then hands-on games and a quiz to lock it in.
Step 1 · Lesson
A short read-aloud lesson in 5 steps, with pictures and worked examples.
Step 2 · Game
How many in all? Rows times columns! (8 problems)
Step 3 · Game
Turn the addition into multiplication. (6 problems)
Step 4 · Game
Find the missing number. (6 problems)
Step 5 · Game
How many in all? (6 problems)
Lesson preview
This is the real lesson text your child hears, read aloud by a friendly voice.
Multiplication is a fast way to add equal groups. 3 groups of 4 is 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.
We write it as 3 × 4 = 12. The × sign means groups of, or times.
An array shows rows and columns. 2 rows of 5 is 2 × 5 = 10.
Turn an array and the answer stays the same: 2 × 5 = 5 × 2. That's the turn-around rule!
You can skip count too: 5, 10, 15, 20. So 4 × 5 = 20!
For parents
Learning sticks best when kids use it in real life. Here are simple ideas from this course.
Make arrays with snacks or coins: 3 rows of 5 crackers. Ask your child to say it as addition (5 + 5 + 5) and as multiplication (3 × 5).
Practice
Real questions from What Is Multiplication?. Try them with your child, then tap to see the answer.
Question 1
8
Question 2
12
Question 3
8
The full course has 26 questions with instant feedback, stars and rewards. Create a free account to play them all.
What Is Multiplication? · Questions from parents
What Is Multiplication? is a grade 3 math course for kids ages 8–9. That is Year 4 maths in the UK and Year 3 in Australia. It also works well for review in the next grade, or as a challenge for a confident younger learner.
Learn that multiplication means equal groups: 3 groups of 4 is 3 × 4. Use arrays, skip counting and repeated addition. Along the way they practice: Count the Array; Add It Up; Turn-Around Facts; Equal Groups Stories.
About 10 minutes in total, split into 4 short levels. Most kids finish it over two or three sessions. Progress is saved, so they can stop any time and pick up where they left off.
Yes. What Is Multiplication? is one of the first 2 courses in Grade 3 Math. Create a free parent account and your child can start right away.
No. Every lesson has a friendly read-aloud voice, questions are read aloud too, and the pictures help kids follow along. Confident readers can turn the voice off.
Yes. SkillBloom is built for homeschooling families. Kids work through lessons, games and quizzes on their own, and the parent dashboard shows what they finished and which skills need more practice. It works on phones, tablets and laptops.
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