Comparing Multiplication to Addition

In the last lesson, you learned a little about multiplication.

      Multiplication is repeated addition.

You learned that...

3 × 2

...is the same as saying...

Add 3 to itself 2 times = 3 + 3 = 6

...or...

Add 2 to itself, 3 times = 2 + 2 + 2 = 6

In this lesson, let's see how you can use addition to learn multiplication.

Multiplying Numbers using Addition

      You can use addition to multiply any two numbers!

Let's try it.

Example 1

6 × 4 = ?

This equation means...

Add 6 to itself, 4 times

...or...

Add 4 to itself, 6 times

So, let's add.

Hint: You can do whichever addition you feel is easier.

6 × 4 =
Add 4 to itself, 6 times =
4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 =
24

Tip: Use skip counting to help you find the sum.

So,

6 × 4 = 24

Great job! 

We used addition to figure out a multiplication problem.

Let's try another one.

Example 2

10 × 3 = ?

Can you use addition to solve this one?

10 × 3 =
10 + 10 + 10 =
30

So,

10 × 3 = 30

Awesome!

Multiplication using Skip Counting

      Skip counting is adding a number over and over again.

This is skip counting by 2's:

This is skip counting by 5's:

This is skip counting by 10's:

You can use skip counting to answer any multiplication problem too.

Let's try it.

Example 1

9 × 2 = ?

To find the answer, we can either...

Count by 9's, 2 times

...or...

Count by 2's, 9 times

Let's try counting by 2's:

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18
(9 times)

So,

9 × 2 = 18

Nice work. 👏

Let's try one more.

Example 2

7 × 5 = ?

Let's try counting by 5's, seven times.

5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35
(7 times)

So,

7 × 5 = 35

Perfect!

Great job on the lesson. 👏 

You just learned how you can use addition or skip counting to figure out the answer to any multiplication question on your own. 💪

Now, complete the practice to help you master the skill.