Grade 3 · Number · Multiplication · Lesson 2
Equal Groups
Multiplication works when every group has the same number of objects.
The big idea
Equal means the same amount
In 4 × 3, there are 4 groups with exactly 3 objects in every group.
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Compare equal and unequal groups
Equal groups
3, 3, 3, 3
Each group has 3, so multiplication can describe them: 4 × 3 = 12.
Unequal groups
2, 3, 4, 3
The groups have different amounts, so one multiplication equation does not describe them.