What is an array When pictures or objects

What is an array? When pictures or objects are put into columns and rows, it is called an array. They can help us to count objects more efficiently. You can use an array to help you solve mathematical questions. They can help us with our times tables learning and explain the relationship between multiplication and division.

What is an array? You could say there are 3 lots of 4 or 4 lots of 3 It doesn’t matter which way around you make the array – the answer is the same!

There are 3 groups of 4 3 x 4 = 12 There are 4 groups of 3 4 x 3 = 12

Drawing arrays I like to draw arrays the way I write. So I make a row first. So for 3 x 6, I know I want 3 lots of 6. I draw my first lot of 6. Then my second lot of 6. Then my third lot of 6.

Drawing arrays Some may choose to start with the row first So for 3 x 6, I know I want 3 lots of 6. They draw first lot of 6. Then second lot of 6. Then third lot of 6.

Drawing arrays It is up to you which way you choose to draw your array. You will get the same answer, as we know multiplication can be done both ways. (Commutative) Example 3 x 6 is the same as 6 x 3.

Drawing arrays The question was 3 x 6. To find the answer, you need to count the total number of objects. If you can count in either of those multiples, 3 or 6, you don’t need to count each object, the array is just useful to help you check what you think. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 6, 12, 18

You can use an array to help you solve mathematical questions There are 5 astronauts in the spaceship. They each had 4 books. How many books were on board the spaceship altogether? 5 lots of 4 = 5 x 4= 5 x 4 = 20

When drawing arrays in school, we spoke about drawing clear bullet points so we could see our working out correctly. Example 1 4 x 6= 4 lots of 6 4 x 6 = 24 Example 2 7 x 3= 7 lots of 3 7 x 3 = 21

Task • Log on to Purple Mash to complete your task. • Today’s task with have questions from a range of different times tables and we would like you to solve each question by drawing an array. • Complete your working out on paper and enter you answers into the box.