BuilderGrade 3⏱ 12 min
Multiplication as arrays
Arrange cookies in rows and columns, skip-count the rows, and turn the array to see 3 × 4 = 4 × 3.
Standards: 3.OA.A.13.OA.B.5
1Wonder
A baker puts cookies on a tray in neat rows. Is there a faster way to find out how many there are than counting them one by one?
2Explore
This activity needs a bigger screen
Turn your phone sideways, or open this lesson on a tablet or computer. The explanation and quiz below work here.
Rows
In each row
Try this
- Make 3 rows of 4. Press Count by rows. What numbers do you hear?
- Press Turn it. Did the number of cookies change?
- Press Give me a challenge and find an array with that many cookies. Can you find another one?
- Make an array with 1 row. What do you notice?
3Explain
Step 1 of 5
Equal groups
3 plates with 4 cookies on each plate. That is 3 equal groups of 4: 4 + 4 + 4.
4Practice
Question 1 of 5
Which multiplication matches this array?
5Recap
- Multiplication counts equal groups: 3 × 4 means 3 groups of 4.
- An array shows the groups as rows and columns.
- Skip count the rows to find the total: 4, 8, 12.
- Order does not matter: 3 × 4 = 4 × 3.