Multiply a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number

Part of MathsMultiplying and dividingYear 4Year 4

How do you multiply a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number?

When you multiply a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number, the best way to do this without a calculator is to use short multiplication.

This is how you would use short multiplication to find out the answer to the calculation 232 × 3.

A boy points to a grid with 232 × 3 written as short multiplication. 232 is written horizontally, with H above the 2m T above the 3 and O above the 2. A 3 is placed under the final 2. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The final answer is in the answer space below, it is 696.

You need to make sure your digits are in the correct columns, so that you multiply the correct numbers.

Your answer goes between the two lines. Make sure you put the digits in the same column as the 3-digit number you are multiplying.

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Quiz: Multiplying a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number

Test out your multiplication skills with this quiz, then read on to complete the page.

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Using a place value chart to multiply

You can use a place value chart and place value counters to help you multiply a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number.

This place value chart shows 3 groups of the number 254.

A chart with columns for hundreds, tens, and ones. In each of its 3 rows, there are 2 hundreds counters, 5 tens counters and 4 ones counters.

This is how you write it as a multiplication sentence:

254 × 3

To find the answer you need to add the value of the columns together.

But first first, you need to exchange between the place value columns.

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  1. A chart with columns for hundreds, tens, and ones. In all three rows, there are 2 hundreds counters, 5 tens counters and 4 ones counters. 10 one counters are surrounded by a box with an arrow pointing to the tens column signifying a transfer.

    There are 12 ones. Exchange 10 ones for 1 ten.

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The short multiplication method

Here is a multiplication sentence:

231 × 3 =

To work out the answer using the short multiplication method you need to write it like this:

To the left a label reads 231 × 3. To the right it is written as short multiplication. 231 is written horizontally, with H above the 2m T above the 3 and O above the 1. A 3 is placed under the final 1. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The answer space is blank.

Your answer will go in between the equals sign at the bottom.

You may want to use a place value chart to help with each step of the short multiplication.

Take a look at how to use this method in the slideshow below.

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  1. On the left a place value chart with columns for hundreds, tens, and ones. In 3 rows of the chart, there are 2 hundreds counters, 3 tens counters and 1 ones counter. 3 is written in the fourth row in the ones column. To the left a label reads 231 × 3. To the right it is written as short multiplication. 231 is written horizontally. A 3 is placed under the final 1. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The answer space contains a 3 in the ones column

    Start with the ones column. 1 × 3 = 3.

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Short multiplication and exchanging between place value columns

This is how you carry out a short multiplication when the value in a place value column exceeds 9 and you need to exchange between columns.

The multiplication sentence and the method for working out the answer looks like this:

The multiplication sentence 144 × 3 is written as short multiplication. 144 is written horizontally. A 3 is placed under the final 4. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The answer space is blank.

This is a place value table for this calculation.

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  1. A place value chart for 144 multiplied by 3. There are headings for hundreds, tens, and ones. There are 3 rows. In each row 1 hundreds counter, 4 tens counters and 4 ones counters. The multiplication sentence 144 × 3 is also written in short multiplication format.

    Start with the ones column. 4 × 3 = 12. Since 12 is greater than 9, it cannot all stay in the ones column...

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Example 1

The sum 236 multiplied by 2 is shown. The numbers are placed under hundreds, tens, and ones.

Work out the answer to 236 × 2 using short multiplication.

You could use a place value chart or counters to help.

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In this game, use the times tables and more maths skills to defeat monsters and reclaim the Kingdom.

Play Guardians: Defenders of Mathematica to get ready for SATs.
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