Multiplicative Comparisons

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

• What is a multiplicative comparison?

It is an interpretation of a multiplication equation as a comparison. Example: Interpret 35 = 5 × 7 as a statement that "35 is 5 times as many as 7 and 7 times as many as 5." You represent verbal statements of multiplicative comparisons as multiplication equations.

Whoa! That sounds confusing, but let's break it down. By the end of this lesson, you'll be a master at multiplicative comparison.

First, let's look at the difference between verbal statements and multiplication equations.

6 is 3 times as many as 2

That is a verbal statement showing a multiplicative comparison.

We know it is multiplicative because of the word "times" which tells us we are going to be using multiplication.

• Can you think of the symbol we use to show multiplication or "times"?

I bet you can! That will be important later!

Ok, back to our verbal statement.

6 is 3 times as many as 2

We are comparing two numbers, 6 and 2, using multiplication.

First, let's look at the two numbers we are comparing:

We can probably think of lots of ways to compare the numbers in the picture.

One is red, one is blue. 6 is bigger than 2. 2 is less than 6. 6 has 4 more X's than 2.

But, remember our verbal statement says "6 is 3 times as many as 2."

We are using multiplication! Let's look at another picture of the numbers. This time we will arrange them in equal groups:

• How many equal groups do you see for the number 6?

Three!

Now, let's look at our verbal statement again.

6 is 3 times as many as 2

Ahh, it makes sense now!

It takes 3 equal groups of 2 to make 6. Or, 3 groups of 2 equal 6.

• How can we write that as a multiplication equation?

"6 is 3 times as many as 2" is the same as 6 = 3 x 2

"6 is 3 times as many as 2" is the verbal statement showing multiplicative comparison.

6 = 3 x 2 is the multiplication equation.

You are ready to move on to the Got It? section to practice finding the multiplication equations for each verbal statement!