When we work out lots of repeated additions of the same amount, we can multiply.
Example
A dog has 4 legs.
How many legs will 5 dogs have?
Answer
We need to work out 5 lots of 4,
which is quicker than adding 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4.
This is 5 × 4.
5 × 4 = 4 × 5 = 20
5 dogs will have 20 legs.