Understanding 3-digit Multiplication
Multiplying by 3-digit numbers might seem tricky at first, but once you break it down into smaller steps, it becomes much easier!
When we multiply by a 3-digit number, we're really doing three separate multiplications (one for each digit) and then adding them together. The key is to remember your place values and keep your work neat.
Step-by-Step Method
1️⃣ Multiply by the ones place (rightmost digit)
2️⃣ Multiply by the tens place (middle digit), remembering to add a zero at the end
3️⃣ Multiply by the hundreds place (leftmost digit), remembering to add two zeros at the end
4️⃣ Add all three results together to get your final answer
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: 245 × 123
Let's break this down:
1. Multiply 245 by 3 (ones place): 245 × 3 = Show answer 735
2. Multiply 245 by 20 (tens place): 245 × 20 = Show answer 4,900
3. Multiply 245 by 100 (hundreds place): 245 × 100 = Show answer 24,500
4. Now add them together: 735 + 4,900 + 24,500 = Show answer 30,135
Example 2: 367 × 452
Try this one on paper first, then check each step:
1. Multiply 367 by 2: Show answer 734
2. Multiply 367 by 50: Show answer 18,350
3. Multiply 367 by 400: Show answer 146,800
4. Add them together: Show answer 165,884
Parent Tips 🌟
- Use graph paper to help your child keep their numbers neatly aligned - this makes a huge difference!
- Practice with real-world examples like calculating the total cost of multiple items or determining distances.
- Celebrate small victories - mastering each step (ones, tens, hundreds) before putting them together builds confidence.