Math Expressions Grade 3, Unit 1: Multiplication and Division 0-5, 9, 10
In this unit, your child begins multiplication and division with the facts for 0 through 5, 9, and 10. Children learn that multiplication means equal groups, that division means sharing equally, and how to solve word problems with both. These first facts become tools for the harder 6s, 7s, and 8s in the next unit.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Seeing multiplication as equal groups, like 5 groups of 4, and drawing arrays, rows and columns, to show each fact. Learn more: Multiplication as equal groups
- Seeing division as sharing equally or making equal groups, such as 30 ÷ 5 = 6, and connecting it to multiplication. Learn more: Division as sharing into equal groups
- Solving word problems about equal groups and arrays with multiplication or division and writing an equation for each. Learn more: Multiplying and dividing in story problems
- Learning the facts for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10 until they come quickly, using patterns in the 5s, 9s, and 10s. Learn more about knowing the times tables by heart: Knowing the times tables by heart · Learn more about dividing within 100
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Hana has 3 plates with 5 strawberries on each plate. She writes 3 × 5. What does 3 × 5 tell her?
- How many strawberries there are in all
- How many strawberries are on each plate
- How many plates she has
How you can help
- Skip-count by 5s or 10s on a walk or ride, one number per step or streetlight, and stop to ask which fact you just reached, like 6 x 5.
- Ask your child to share a stack of crackers into 3 equal piles, say the division fact, and then say the multiplication fact that matches it.
- Look for the 9s pattern together: 9, 18, 27, 36. Ask what happens to the tens and ones digits each time, and why it works.
Where kids can get stuck
- Adding the two numbers instead of multiplying, so 5 x 4 becomes 9 instead of 20.
- Mixing up whether a division answer tells how many in each group or how many groups there are.
- Swapping the number of groups and the group size, so a story about 3 bags of 6 gets drawn as 6 bags of 3.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- multiply
- To find the total of equal groups, like 3 groups of 4 making 12.
- divide
- To split a total into equal groups or equal shares.
- equal groups
- Groups that each have the same number of things in them.
- array
- Objects arranged in equal rows and columns, like eggs in a carton.
- product
- The answer to a multiplication problem.
- quotient
- The answer to a division problem.
- factor
- A number being multiplied, like 3 and 4 in 3 x 4 = 12.
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign showing two sides are the same amount.
Want to help your child master early multiplication facts?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Math Expressions Grade 3 Unit 1 cover?
Math Expressions Grade 3 Unit 1 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.