Multiplication of Whole Numbers Worksheets
Approaching this topic is often a bit intimidating because it is the first-time students are moving to large scale values. The best approach I found in teaching just about anything is start with something that students know and are confident with. At this grade level students should be very proficient with adding and determining sums. I like to present multiplication as a form of advanced addition. Start with the row and column method that you will see in our lesson below. We have plenty more worksheets to back that up as well. Once they start getting in the groove, make sure to teach the concept of multiplying by ones and zeroes. Once they have this method down, it will be time to move on to learning times tables. Times tables should only be approached after students have a good handle on this concept. These multiplication worksheets focus on the use of whole numbers. Great to introduce the concept.
Aligned Standard: Grade 3 Operations - 3.OA.1
- Multiplying With Cars Step-by-step Lesson- Turn a series of rows and columns of car images into a multiplication sentence.
- Guided Lesson - We use visuals again and also most to comparing products to repeated sums.
- Guided Lesson Explanation - We move to word explanation of these guys. The visuals follow right along.
- Practice Worksheet - Consists of 2 pages. The first page is all visuals and the second is repeated addition compared to products.
- Multiplication Tables 5-Pack - Complete all the times tables for a great workout.
- Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Properties 5-Pack - Label what's going on here.
- Matching Worksheet - Match the picture or repeated addition sentences to the products that they represent.
- Answer Keys - These are for all the unlocked materials above.
Homework Sheets
Display the columns and rows of images as both addition and multiplication sentences.
- Homework 1- Write the following as a multiplication sentences. You should space everything out for yourself.
- Homework 2- You are playing checkers and your side of the board is full. You have 4 rows of 5 checkers each. How many checkers are on your side of the board?
- Homework 3- Think these through and convert the visual images that you see into numbers. You can even label each column and row, however you would like to work it through.
Practice Worksheets
We now start to advance over to using numbers from previously using images.
- Practice 1- Write the following as both an addition and multiplication sentence.
- Practice 2- Count the rows and columns. We work with much larger values than past worksheets.
- Practice 3- Match the equivalent sentences and operations. This is a nice way to transition and start to make the concept more concrete for students.
Math Skill Quizzes
The quizzes are a nice fit here. I cover everything you will see on this skill.
- Quiz 1- For numbers 1 and 2, write a multiplication sentence that is equal to the images.
- Quiz 2- For numbers 5 and 6 write an addition and multiplication sentence that is shown by the images.
Tips for Multiplying Whole Numbers
Let’s begin by looking at what the anatomy of this mathematical operation. Whole numbers are integers. This means that they are numbers without a fraction. In multiplication between two whole numbers there are three parts of the problem.
There is a multiplicand, a multiplier, and a product. For example, 13 x 26, the number 13 here is the multiplicand, the number 26 is the multiplier, and the product of this operation is 338. It should also be noted that due to the commutative property of multiplication, the multiplicand and multiplier can switch places when reordered. These definitions are as a result relative to each problem we investigate.
Multiplication is probably the only operation in mathematics that has a twin trick. In learning the tricks, keep in mind that every person thinks differently, so if a trick doesn't work for you, leave that trick.
The twin trick is probably the best tip. Also known as the commutative property of multiplication. If you forget 5 x 4, you probably remember 4 x 5.
Double the number. For example, 2 x 6, add 6 twice like 6 + 6 = 12. The same is the answer for 2 x 6. The double trick is only for two times of any number.
For multiplication of more than one digit, try doing it once from right to left and then left to right. Find out which one you find easy and then follow that trick. Multiply each digit with the other one by one.
When finding a product that includes a multiplicand or multiplier of 10, just add a zero to the integer. For example, 25 x 10 = 250.
Remember that you can break apart a multiplier to make it easier for yourself. For example, 16 x 8 is the same thing as (10 x 8) + (6 x 8). Breaking apart the multiplicand (16) into 10 and 6, we made this a mental math problem.
The final tip is that there is little to no substitute for memorizing your times tables. Put the work in and you will see results.