If addition is watching numbers grow, then multiplication is watching numbers grow real fast. To help kids understand this concept, let’s break down the parts:

2 (multiplier) x 3 (multiplicand) = 6 (product)

In the example above, 2 is called the multiplier, while 3 is called the multiplicand. The multiplier and the multiplicand are also called factors. The answer to a multiplication problem is called the product.

Another way to look at the equation is in terms of addition: 2 + 2 + 2 = 6. So multiplication is a handy shortcut to adding groups of a number together.

Multiplication has properties that are unique to its operation. Some of them are:

Commutative Property: The numbers in the equation can be switched around without affecting the product.
Example: 2 x 3 = 6; 3 x 2 = 6
Associative Property: It doesn’t matter how numbers are grouped when you multiply them; the result will still be the same.
Example: (2 x 3) x 2 = 12; 2 x (3 x 2) = 12
Distributive Property: Anything inside the parenthesis can be multiplied separately by the multiplier.
Example: 2 x (3 + 2) = 2 x 3 + 2 x 2
Identity Element: Multiplication has an identity element of 1, which means that any number multiplied by 1 results in that number’s identity being unchanged.
Example: 6 x 1 = 6.
Zero Property: Any number multiplied by 0 is 0.
Example: 6 x 0 = 0

Multiplication is fun to learn and master. Use our resources to get your kids excited about its power to transform their arithmetic skills.

Multiplication Educational Resources : Page 28