3rd Grade Understanding Multiplication Quiz: 10 Questions with Explanations

A 9 plus 2 items in allB 9 groups with 9 in each groupC 9 groups with 2 in each groupD 2 groups with 2 in each group

The first factor is the number of groups and the second is the size of each group. A common mistake is to add the factors.

A \(4 \times 6 = 24\)B \(4 + 6 = 10\)C \(6 \times 6 = 36\)D \(4 \times 4 = 16\)

There are 4 boxes with 6 dots in each, so the equation is 4 × 6 = 24. Adding the factors gives 10, which is not the total.

A \(3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12\)B \(5 + 3 = 8\)C \(3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 18\)D \(3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15\)

5 × 3 means five 3s. Using four 3s or six 3s changes the number of groups.

A 11B 32C 21D 24

There are 3 rows with 8 in each row, and 3 × 8 = 24. Adding 3 + 8 gives 11, a common mistake.

A 11 ouncesB 28 ouncesC 32 ouncesD 24 ounces

7 × 4 = 28. Adding the numbers gives 11 ounces, and 32 and 24 are neighbors in the facts for 4.

A 18B 9C 15D 21

There are 6 jumps of 3, and 6 × 3 = 18. Stopping one jump early gives 15 and adding one more gives 21.

A 5 trays with 6 muffins on each trayB 5 muffins plus 6 more muffinsC 5 muffins shared among 6 traysD 11 muffins with 5 eaten

5 × 6 is 5 equal groups of 6. The other stories add, share, or subtract.

A $15B $54C $45D $63

6 × 9 = 54. Adding 6 + 9 gives $15, and $45 and $63 come from nearby facts.

A \(n = 13\)B \(n = 35\)C \(n = 40\)D \(n = 45\)

8 groups of 5 is 40. Adding gives 13, and 35 and 45 come from nearby multiples of 5.

A 16B 63C 56D 72

7 groups of 9 is 7 × 9 = 63. Adding gives 16, and 56 and 72 are other facts.