GoalMatch multiplication stories to their equations and spot a story that is not multiplication.
New words
match · to pair things that belong togethereach · every one of the groupsin all · together; the total
Explanation
A multiplication story has equal groups. Words like each, every and in all help us find them. In the story Nour has 4 shelves with 6 jars on each shelf, there are 4 groups of 6, so the equation is 4 × 6 = 24. In the story Nour has 4 jars on one shelf and 6 jars on another, the groups are not equal, so it is an addition: 4 + 6 = 10. To match a story, ask how many groups there are and how many are in each group. If the groups are equal, multiply. Then check the product by repeated addition.
Story
Equation
3 plates with 5 cakes on each plate
3 × 5 = 15
3 cakes on one plate and 5 cakes on another
3 + 5 = 8
Worked examples
Story
Equation
A
7 × 3 = 21
B
7 + 3 = 10
Match Hana’s two stories. Story A: Hana has 7 boxes with 3 crayons in each box. This is 7 × 3 = 21. Story B: Hana has 7 red crayons and 3 blue crayons. This is 7 + 3 = 10.
Karim says: 5 packets with 4 stickers in each packet is 5 + 4 = 9. Look at the picture. There are 5 equal groups of 4, so the equation should be 5 × 4 = 20. Karim added the factors by mistake.
Write a story for 8 × 2 = 16. Here is one: 8 bicycles have 2 wheels each, so there are 16 wheels. The tape shows 8 groups of 2.
Class activity
Story swap. Each player writes three multiplication equations on cards, such as 6 × 4 = 24, and three story cards. Mix the cards and match the stories to the equations. Add one trick story that is really an addition, such as 6 pens and 4 pencils, and see if your partner finds it.
Practice
1
Seif has 5 bags with 3 apples in each bag. Which equation matches, 5 × 3 = 15 or 5 + 3 = 8?
5 × 3 = 15, because the 5 groups are equal.
2
Which story matches 6 × 4 = 24? A: 6 cars with 4 wheels each. B: 6 cars and 4 buses.
A. B is an addition, 6 + 4 = 10.
3
Write a multiplication story for 3 × 9 = 27.
Any story with 3 equal groups of 9, such as 3 trays with 9 cookies on each tray.
4
Mariam has 4 boxes with 8 pencils in each box. Write the equation and the product.
4 × 8 = 32 pencils.
5
A story says there are 12 children and 3 teachers on a trip. Is it a multiplication story? Why?
No. There are no equal groups. We add: 12 + 3 = 15 people.
