Three rows of four
4 + 4 + 4
Answer: 3 × 4 = 12 Three equal rows contain four dots each, for twelve dots total.
Multiplication · Grades 3–4
Teaching Multiplication with Arrays and Equal Groups
Arrays organize objects into equal rows and columns. They make the two factors visible and help children count a product without losing track.
What children need to know first
- An array has equal rows and equal columns.
- Turning a 3-by-4 array shows the same 12 dots, so 3 × 4 and 4 × 3 have the same product.
Step-by-step explanation
- Build equal groups with counters.
- Line the groups into rows of the same size.
- Label the number of rows and objects in each row.
- Count by rows or use repeated addition to find the total.
Worked examples
Four groups of five
5 + 5 + 5 + 5
Answer: 4 × 5 = 20 The number of equal groups is four and each group contains five.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Counting only one row. Count all rows, or skip-count by the number in each row.
- Calling columns the groups when the drawing asks for rows. Mark one row at a time and identify its size.
Parent teaching tips
- Use egg-carton cups, buttons, or a drawn grid to build the array.
- Rotate a rectangular array and ask what changed and what stayed the same.
Independent practice
- Draw 2 rows of 6 dots. How many dots?
- Write repeated addition and multiplication for 4 rows of 3.
Practice answers
- 12
- 3+3+3+3; 4 × 3 = 12
Explore related skills
Practice this skill
Open the matching Grades 3–4 activity for Multiplication. You can print its worksheet with questions only or an answer key.
Start Multiplication practice · View the grade-level topic page