Max Maths, Year 3, Learn together, Word problems (2)

In a Year 3 mathematics lesson, students encounter a practical application of multiplication through a word problem involving tomatoes and boxes. The problem presents a scenario where there is a known quantity of tomatoes, specifically 18, in a single box. The students are then asked to calculate the total number of tomatoes that would be found in 5 boxes. To aid in visualising and solving the problem, counting blocks are used to represent the tomatoes, offering a tangible method for the young learners to grasp the concept of multiplication and addition.

The solution to the problem is demonstrated step by step. First, the multiplication of 5 boxes by the 18 tomatoes per box is carried out, resulting in a total that initially appears as 50 and four groups of 10. These groups are then combined, simplifying the calculation to 50 plus 40, which equals 90. Through this process, students learn that there are 90 tomatoes in 5 boxes. This approach not only teaches the mathematical operation but also encourages the development of grouping and addition skills, reinforcing the understanding that multiplication is an extension of addition.