Multiplicative Comparison
Interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison (e.g. 35 = 5 × 7 means 35 is 5 times as many as 7); represent verbal statements of multiplicative comparisons as equations
What a learner can do afterwards
- Explain that '4 times as many' means multiply by 4
- Write an equation for: Sarah has 3 times as many stickers as Tom, who has 8 stickers
- Distinguish multiplicative comparison from additive comparison in word problems
The lesson
You already know that multiplication makes equal groups. Multiplicative comparison uses that same idea to compare two amounts. When you hear the words 'times as many,' that phrase tells you to multiply.
Tom has 8 stickers. Sarah has 3 times as many stickers as Tom. To find Sarah's total, multiply: 3 × 8 = 24. We write this as an equation: 24 = 3 × 8.
Watch the exact words. 'Sarah has 5 more stickers than Tom' is additive: you add. 'Sarah has 5 times as many stickers as Tom' is multiplicative: you multiply. The sentences look almost the same, but the answer is very different.
The words 'times as many' mean multiply, not add.
Watch it
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