Multiplication with Number Words

Welcome, third-grade mathematicians! 🌟 Today we're going to learn how to use number words in multiplication. This helps us understand both what multiplication means and how to read and write numbers in word form.

What is Multiplication?

Multiplication is a fast way of adding the same number multiple times. For example, if you have 3 groups of 4 apples, you can write this as 3 × 4 = 12. In words, we would say "three times four equals twelve" or "three multiplied by four equals twelve."

Example: Using Number Words in Multiplication

4 × 5 = 20

In words: Four times five equals twenty
This means: 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20 (adding five, four times)

Basic Multiplication with Number Words

Let's practice reading and writing multiplication problems using number words. This helps us understand what the numbers mean and makes it easier to solve word problems.

Reading Multiplication Problems

3 × 7 = 21
In words: Three times seven equals twenty-one
6 × 2 = 12
In words: Six times two equals twelve
9 × 4 = 36
In words: Nine times four equals thirty-six

Teacher Tip 💡

When teaching multiplication with number words, encourage students to visualize the groups. For example, "six times two" can be visualized as 6 groups with 2 items in each group, or as 2 repeated 6 times.

Number Words in Multiplication Stories

Multiplication is everywhere in our daily lives! Let's look at some story problems and see how we use number words to describe multiplication situations.

Story Problem Example

Sam has four boxes of crayons. Each box has eight crayons. How many crayons does Sam have in total?

We can write this as: 4 × 8 = ?

In words: Four times eight equals thirty-two

So Sam has thirty-two crayons altogether.

Fun Activity: Number Word Multiplication Cards

Create flashcards with multiplication facts written in words on one side and numbers on the other:

  • Front side: "six times three"
  • Back side: "6 × 3 = 18"

Practice reading the words and saying the answer, then check yourself by flipping the card!

Understanding Multiplication Properties with Words

There are special rules in multiplication that we can understand better using number words.

Commutative Property

The order of the numbers doesn't change the answer.

3 × 5 = 5 × 3 = 15

In words: Three times five equals fifteen

And also: Five times three equals fifteen

Multiplication by Zero and One

7 × 0 = 0
In words: Seven times zero equals zero
8 × 1 = 8
In words: Eight times one equals eight

Practice Problems

Let's practice writing multiplication expressions using number words!

Write 5 × 6 = 30 using number words:

Five times six equals thirty

Write 7 × 3 = 21 using number words:

Seven times three equals twenty-one

What is "two times nine equals" in numbers?

2 × 9 = 18

What is "four times four equals" in numbers?

4 × 4 = 16

Multiplication Word Problem Challenge

Here are some word problems to practice your multiplication skills:

Problem 1

There are three flower pots. Each pot has five flowers. How many flowers are there in total?

Problem 2

Each student has two pencils. There are seven students. How many pencils do they have altogether?

Parent Tip 💡

Help your child practice multiplication by finding everyday examples: groups of items at the grocery store, arrays of windows on buildings, or chairs arranged in rows. Ask them to describe these using number words.