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O.1 Multiplication facts for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

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What is multiplication?

Multiplication is a way to add the same number again and again more quickly. It tells us how many groups of a number we have in total.

Examples:
  • 2 × 3 means 2 groups of 3 → 3 + 3 = 6
  • 4 × 5 means 4 groups of 5 → 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20
Note

Think of multiplication as repeated addition. It helps you find answers faster without adding one number over and over.

Multiplying by 1

Any number multiplied by 1 stays the same. This is called the identity property of multiplication.

Examples:
  • 1 × 4 = 4
  • 7 × 1 = 7
Note

When you multiply by 1, the answer is always the other number.

Multiplying by 2

Multiplying by 2 means doubling a number, or adding it to itself one time.

Examples:
  • 2 × 3 = 6 (3 + 3)
  • 2 × 5 = 10 (5 + 5)
Note

You can think of multiplying by 2 as asking: “What is double this number?”

Multiplying by 3

Multiplying by 3 means adding the same number three times.

Examples:
  • 3 × 2 = 6 (2 + 2 + 2)
  • 3 × 4 = 12 (4 + 4 + 4)
Note

Skip counting by 3s (3, 6, 9, 12…) can help you learn your 3 facts quickly.

Multiplying by 4

Multiplying by 4 means adding the same number four times. It is also double the answer of multiplying by 2.

Examples:
  • 4 × 2 = 8 (2 + 2 + 2 + 2)
  • 4 × 5 = 20 (5 + 5 + 5 + 5)
Note

If you know your ×2 facts, you can double them again to find your ×4 facts.

Multiplying by 5

Multiplying by 5 means counting by 5s. The answers always end in 0 or 5.

Examples:
  • 5 × 3 = 15 (5 + 5 + 5)
  • 5 × 6 = 30 (5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5)
Note

Skip counting by 5s (5, 10, 15, 20…) makes these facts easy to learn.

Patterns in multiplication

Multiplication facts often show patterns that can help you remember them faster.

Examples:
  • Answers for ×2 are always even numbers.
  • Answers for ×5 end in 0 or 5.
  • Multiplication is commutative: 3 × 4 = 4 × 3.
Note

Look for patterns in the numbers. They make multiplication facts easier to learn and remember.