My sons math problem I don't really know how to answer.

Question

Brad planted 6 rows of flowers. He planted 4 flowers in each row. Tell why 6x4 gives the total number of flowers Brad planted. 

Answer 1

Kelli,

One way for your son to answer this question is by explaining that 6x4 means 6 groups of 4 things. As Mark indicated, a picture is a really powerful way to show this fact. Most of the standards ask that students recognize that multiplication means "this many groups of that many things". So, 6x4 means "six groups of four things" or "six fours". Your son should be able to relate multiplication back to addition: 6x4 = 4+4+4+4+4+4. Then he can say 6x4 means the same thing. All of these are correct. It just depends on whether the teacher wants a picture or an explanation in words.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Tommy

Answer 2

f  f  f  f   4

f  f  f  f   8

f  f  f  f   12

f  f  f  f   16

f  f  f  f   20

f  f  f  f   24