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Lesson 3 — Activity 2: Multiplying Whole Numbers
Completion requirements
Lesson 3 — Activity 2: Multiplying Whole Numbers
Getting Ready
Think about how you could solve this problem:
The head chef of a restaurant was asked to prepare meals for 3 groups of 5 customers each. How many meals will she have to prepare in total?
You could use multiplication to solve it.
This diagram shows 3 groups of 5 each:
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
If you entered 3 x 5 on a calculator, it would display the answer 15.
Try This:
Sometimes it is quick to use a multiplication table to help solve both simple and more complex multiplication questions.
Click here to access a multiplication table. Print it off and complete it.
Here is a multiplication chart mystery puzzle you can solve!
Many strategies can be used to multiply numbers, such as
using:
-
base 10 blocks (manipulatives)
-
multiplication arrays
-
estimating and calculating by using paper and pencil
-
checking, by using a calculator
Click here to watch a video to see the strategies that can be used to multiply. Watch until the end of step 8.
Many strategies can be used to multiply numbers, such as
using:
-
base 10 blocks (manipulatives)

- multiplication arrays
- estimating and calculating by using paper and pencil
- checking, by using a calculator