The Life Starter
Sign up
Grade 3 · lesson 4 of 4

Multiply Tens as Groups of Ten

Rename the multiple of ten as tens.

About 15 minutes, plus any extended practice

Download the grade pack

Supplied materials

  • Paper and a pencil; drawing and spoken explanations are welcome. An adult may read directions and options aloud.
  • Supplied worked-case record: For 7×60, sixty is six tens.
  • All quantities and shape descriptions are supplied in the worked example and questions; no purchase or personal information is needed.

Learn the idea

A multiple of ten contains a whole number of tens. Multiply that tens count by the one-digit factor, then express the product’s value in ones. This explains the place-value pattern instead of relying on a rule to append a zero without understanding it.

Rename the multiple of ten as tens. Multiply its tens count by the other factor, then convert the product back to ones. Check that the final answer is ten times the related single-digit fact.

Name the multiple of ten as a tens count first. Forty-two tens is 420, not 42. Draw grouped tens and write the related one-digit multiplication fact.

  1. Draw grouped tens and write the related one-digit multiplication fact.
  2. Follow the worked example. Point to each number or shape feature and say what it tells you.
  3. Rename the multiple of ten as tens.
  4. Try the question and then the three practice questions. Check your answers and explain any change you make.
Worked example

See the method in action

For 7×60, sixty is six tens. Seven groups of six tens are forty-two tens, or 420. The related fact 7×6=42 is ten times smaller. The zero records the tens value rather than being a decoration added to an unrelated result. Name the multiple of ten as a tens count first. Forty-two tens is 420, not 42. Draw grouped tens and write the related one-digit multiplication fact.

Your turn

Check your reasoning

Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.

Helpful tips
  • Name the multiple of ten as a tens count first.
  • Forty-two tens is 420, not 42.
Find 3×40.

Feedback appears here after you check. This is practice, not a graded school assessment.

See the answer and explanation

120

Forty is four tens; multiply the tens and give their value in ones. The result is 120.

Take it further

Find 9×80. Expected: seventy-two tens, or 720.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.

More practice: try new cases

Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.

More practice: try new cases
1. Find 4×40.
Need a hint?
  • Name the multiple of ten as a tens count first.
  • Forty-two tens is 420, not 42.
2. Find 5×40.
Need a hint?
  • Name the multiple of ten as a tens count first.
  • Forty-two tens is 420, not 42.
3. Find 6×40.
Need a hint?
  • Name the multiple of ten as a tens count first.
  • Forty-two tens is 420, not 42.

Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.

Check the subject sources

These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.