In this activity, we will be solving multiplication problems using pictures to help. 

 

Look at the diagram. It shows a multiplication problem. 

 

There are two rows with five people in each row. 

 

 

Also, there are five columns with two people in each column.

 

We could write two different multiplication calculations for this picture:

2 × 5 = 10

5 × 2 = 10

 

It doesn't matter which way round we write the numbers, as multiplication is commutative. 

This means it can be done in any order. 

 

Let's try an example question together.

 

Example

There are 3 rows.

There are 2 seats in each row.

 

 

How many seats are there?

 

Answer

We could write two different multiplication calculations for this picture:

2 × 3 = 6

3 × 2 = 6

 

Got that?

 

 

Now it's your turn to complete some questions like this.