Meaning & use
multiplication words
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Meaning
phraseplural
Terms in a written math problem, such as times, product, or twice, that tell you to multiply the numbers involved.
Grammar: Always plural when it names the group of terms: multiplication words are easy to miss, but one of them is a clue.
Patterns
- spot multiplication words in something
- multiplication words such as something
Before solving, underline the multiplication words so you know which operation to use.
In the sentence 'Each box holds six pencils,' the word each is one of the multiplication words.
Our teacher gave us a chart of multiplication words, including double, triple, and product.
Common combinations
- common multiplication words
- Times and product are two common multiplication words that students learn early.
- circle the multiplication words
- Circle the multiplication words, then write the equation underneath.
- look for multiplication words
- When a problem looks confusing, look for multiplication words before choosing an operation.
- multiplication words in a word problem
- Multiplication words in a word problem can be hidden inside phrases like 'groups of' or 'per'.
- list of multiplication words
- She stuck a list of multiplication words inside her math notebook.
Synonyms and how they differ
- keywords
- Keywords is a broader classroom term that covers clue words for any operation, whereas multiplication words points only to those that signal multiplying.
- signal words
- Signal words is the same idea for all operations, so it is less specific than multiplication words.
- operation words
- Operation words can mean clue words for adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing, so it needs context to point to multiplication.
Opposites
Word family
- multiply verb
- to find the result of repeated addition of one number
- multiplication noun
- the operation of multiplying numbers
- multiplier noun
- the number by which another number is multiplied
- multiplicand noun
- the number that is being multiplied
- multiplicative adjective
- relating to multiplication
Commonly confused: multiplication words or addition words?
multiplication words vs addition words
Addition words such as sum, total and plus signal adding, while multiplication words signal repeated groups of equal size.
Practice
Which of these is one of the multiplication words in a math problem?
Choose one answer.
Product names the result of multiplying. Difference signals subtraction, remainder belongs to division, and altogether usually signals addition.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “multiplication words”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.