Step-by-Step Guide: How to Multiply Using Pictures
Students of third grade are well known with the concept of Multiplication as repetitive addition. Multiplication using pictures is a fun element in contrast to the regular worksheets and thus is essential to help students understand the concepts effectively and quickly. Multiplication with pictures makes the learning process fun, and thus, students are more focused on the concepts. Students get to see the specified number of copies of the group of items or some people, and they can either count the actual objects or multiply the groups by the number of items in each group. This makes the entire process more visualized. This article contains a brief understanding of the concept of Multiplication and problems to multiply using pictures.
A Brief on Multiplication
Multiplication is one of the elementary arithmetic operations of mathematics and is very useful in various mathematical and real-life problems and scenarios. We represent the multiplication operator using ‘x’ or ‘*’ based on various instances and our needs. Multiplication has three major properties, which are as follows:
Multiplication satisfies the commutative property, meaning a * b = b * a.
Multiplication satisfies the associative property, meaning a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c.
Multiplication is distributive over addition and subtraction, meaning a * (b + c) = (a * b) + (a * c) or a * (bc) = (a * b) - (a * c)
Solved Examples For Multiplication Using Pictures
1: Which Multiplication Sentence Does the Given Array of Stars Indicate?
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Ans. Since there are 25 stars, thus we need to find the multiplication sentence giving 10 as the answer. Therefore, starting with every sentence:
5 x 5 = 25 => This sentence is the correct representation for the array of stars.
4 x 4 = 16 => Not the array representation.
4 x 5 = 20 => Not the array representation
5 x 6 = 30 => Not the array representation
Therefore, the first multiplication sentence, i.e., 5 x 5, is the correct representation for the stars' array.
2: Complete the Multiplication Equations With the Help of the Given Arrays:
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Ans. Here are the solutions for both the problems:
Since the result is 9, and one of the numbers is 3, we find the other number using the diagram. The figure represents three arrays. Thus, the number to be included in the equation is 3, which will give 3 x 3 = 9.
In this problem equation, the result is ten, and one of the numbers is 5, and we find the other number using the figure, which represents two arrays of stars. Thus the number to be included in the equation is 2, which will give 5 x 2 = 10.
3: Multiply the Numbers and Find the Missing Digit Out of the Given Fish Images.
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Ans. Here, the problem is 632 x 4, and the solution is 2_28. We must fill the blank with the appropriate answer. Now, 632 x 4 = 2528. Therefore, the second fish from the left represents the answer to fill the blank for the correct product.
4: Solve the Following Using the Given Grid:
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5 x 5
4 x 8
9 x 7
Ans. Here, using the grid,
For the 5th row and 5th column, the answer is 25. Therefore, 5 x 5 =25.
For the 4th row and 8th column, the answer is 32. Therefore, 4 x 8 = 32.
For the 9th row and 7th column, the answer is 63. Therefore, 9 x 7 = 63.
5: Solve 3 x 5 Using a Number Line.
Ans. Using the number line, as it is given 3 x 5, we will take three jumps of five numbers each,
Thus:
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The answer is 3 x 5 = 15.
Fun Facts:
William Oughtred, an Anglican Clergyman and an English Mathematician introduced the symbol ‘x’ for Multiplication.
Multiple came from two Latin words, ‘multus’, meaning ‘multi’ and ‘plex’, meaning ‘fold’.
Multiplying any number of arrays by 1 gives the number or the array itself.
Multiplying a number by zero gives a 0.
If we multiply any number by 10, we need to add a 0 in the result after the given number.
FAQs on Multiply Using Pictures: Visual Methods for Beginners
1. What does it mean to multiply using pictures?
Multiplying with pictures is a way to solve maths problems by drawing what the numbers mean. For example, to solve 3 x 4, you can draw 3 groups with 4 circles in each. Then, you count all the circles to find the total answer, which is 12. It helps you see the problem instead of just reading it.
2. Why is learning multiplication with pictures helpful for young students?
This method is very helpful because it makes multiplication visual and fun. It connects the numbers to real objects, which makes the concept easier to grasp. Using pictures helps students understand the 'why' behind multiplication, not just memorise tables. This builds a strong foundation, improves memory, and makes problem-solving more intuitive.
3. What are the main types of pictures used to show multiplication?
There are a few common and effective ways to show multiplication with pictures:
- Equal Groups: Drawing a set number of groups with an equal number of items in each.
- Arrays: Arranging items in neat rows and columns, like eggs in a carton.
- Number Line Jumps: Showing multiplication as a series of equal 'jumps' along a number line.
4. How do pictures explain that multiplication is just fast addition?
Pictures make it easy to see the link between multiplication and repeated addition. When you draw 3 groups of 4 stars for the problem 3 x 4, you can see it's the same as adding 4 + 4 + 4. The drawing shows that multiplying is just a shortcut for adding the same number over and over again.
5. Is it practical to use pictures for multiplying very large numbers?
Using pictures is an excellent tool for learning the concept with smaller, manageable numbers. However, it's not practical for large numbers like 45 x 10, as drawing that many items would take too long. The goal of this method is to build a strong conceptual understanding, which students can then apply to more advanced multiplication techniques for bigger numbers.
6. How would you draw 2 x 5 differently from 5 x 2?
This is a great way to see an important maths rule visually. For 2 x 5, you would draw 2 groups with 5 items in each. For 5 x 2, you would draw 5 groups with 2 items in each. Even though the drawings look different, the total number of items in both is 10. This shows how pictures can prove that changing the order of numbers in multiplication doesn't change the final answer.
