Multiplying More Than Two Factors

You knew it was going to happen. Some teacher or workbook was going to start assigning problems with more than two values to multiply. You're in luck. Because multiplication works like addition, you can use some shortcuts here. Let's start by looking at simple problems first. Remember to move in order and hit every number when you're multiplying.
2 x 2 = 4
8 x 6 = 48
2 x 4 x 60 = 480
6 x 9 x 10 x 5 = 2,700

The answers (products) can get large very quickly when you are multiplying. While "100 + 100" equals two hundred (200), "100 x 100" equals ten thousand (10,000). Just remember to take it one step at a time. Or try grouping if its faster.

Any Order You Want

We just mentioned that multiplication is like addition in many ways. One of the cool things about multiplication is that you can move numbers around. You can multiply in any order you want. All of the options give you the same answer.
10 x 5 x 6 x 12 x 4 = 14,400
12 x 10 x 6 x 5 x 4 = 14,400

Since the order doesn't matter, you can group numbers together that are easier to multiply. Using the example, we tried this to make it go faster.

10 x 5 x 6 x 12 x 4 = ?

Step 1:
10 x 12 = 120
5 x 6 = 30
The 4 was left over.

Step 2:
30 x 4 = 120
Save the other 120.

Step 3:
120 x 120 = 14,400

You didn't see a pattern in our number did you? After you broke it down, the multiplication became a lot easier. It was also easier to check our work along the way instead of doing multiplication that might have included "72 x 4." The more practice you have, the easier it will become.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

"More or Less" One and Two-Digit Multiplication
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One and Four-Digit Multiplication Quiz (Carrying)
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- Numbernut: More Basic Math
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