What is Multiplication?

If you know how to add, then you can learn how to multiply.  Multiplication is basically addition that is repeated over and over.  For example, you could use addition to solve a problem, like this:

Addition: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15

However, you can also solve the problem by using multiplcation, like this:

Multiplication: 5 x 3 = 15

That's all there is to it.  You are able to add multiple groups in a quick way.

Working with Multiple Groups

Setting up a Multiplication Problem

The values you are multiplying are called factors (i.e.  In the problem above, 5 x 3 = 15, 5 and 3 are the factors). 
The answer in a multiplication problem is called the product.  You get a product when you multiply two or
any number of factors (i.e.  In the problem above, 5 x 3 = 15, 15 is the product that you get when you multiply the factors 5 and 3). 

There are a lot of symbols used in multiplication.  Your basic work will use an "x".  It is called a "times" symbol. 

If a multiplication problem could speak in words, it would say "Five times three equals fifteen".  However, with numbers, the multiplication problem would say "15 x 3 = 15."

Multiplying by Zero - Watch the School House Rock Video "My Hero Zero"

Multiplying by One - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Two - Watch the School House Rock Video "Elementary My Dear"

Multiplying by Two - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Three - Watch the School House Rock Video "Three is a Magic Number"

Multiplying by Three - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Four - Watch the School House Rock Video "The Four Legged Zoo"

Multiplying by Four - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Five - Watch the School House Rock Video "Ready or Not, Here I Come"

Multiplying by Five - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Six - Watch the School House Rock Video "I Got Six"

Multiplying by Six - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Seven - Watch the School House Rock Video "Lucky Seven Sampson"

Multiplying by Seven - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Eight - Watch the School House Rock Video "Figure Eight"

Multiplying by Eight - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Nine - Watch the School House Rock Video "Naughty Number Nine"

Multiplying by Nine - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Ten - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Eleven - Watch the School House Rock Video "The Good Eleven"

Multiplying by Eleven - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Multiplying by Twelve - Watch the School House Rock Video "Little Twelve Toes"

Multiplying by Twelve - A Song for You to Sing Along With

Resources

Here are some good resources to help you to work on your knowledge of letters and their sounds.  You can print these off and use them at home or at school.

Flashcard Fun - Print off these cards to create your own set of multiplication flashcards.  Just write in the answers, cut up the cards and presto, you have your own set of flashcards to help you to remember your basic multiplication facts.

Double Down - An Addition and Multiplication Facts Game
Number of players: 2 - 4 is best
Materials required: gameboard, dice (2), counters/player pieces as needed

How to play:

1.  Select a Double Down Gameboard (i.e. Double Down 2x table, Double Down 3x table, etc.).
2.  Get your counter and put it on the Start box.
3.  Shake hands with your opponent(s) and wish them 'Good luck'.
4.  Do “Scissors, paper, rock” to see who goes first.
5.  The person who goes first rolls the dice.
6.  Add the sum of the two dice together (i.e. 5 + 2 = 7).
7.  If you are playing Double Down 2x table, for example, you would multiply the sum by 2
     (i.e. 7 x 2 = 14); if you were playing Double Down 3x table, for example, you would multiply the sum
     by 3 (i.e. 7 x 3 = 21).
8.  If you are not sure of the answer, look at the help sheet below the game board to help you.
9.  Move your counter to the square that has the answer or product that you just made.
10. Let the other player(s) roll and repeat steps 6 to 9 to move their counter.
11. Players keep rolling in turn, following steps 6 to 9, moving their counters on the gameboard
      that match their correct answers.
12. The winner is the first person to role a 6 on both dice (a double 6).  This adds to 12.  In Double Down
      2x table, for example, 12 x 2 = 24; this is the Win box, and it is the only way to win.  For Double
      Down 3x table, for example, 12 x 3 = 36; this is the Win box, and it is the only way to win.

Extension option - If you want a harder challenge and you are confident in your times tables, you can always cover up the multiplication help table at the bottom of each gameboard.