Reading ×, ÷, and = Symbols
Read, write, and interpret the symbols ×, ÷, and = in multiplication and division number sentences
What a learner can do afterwards
- Read 3 × 4 = 12 aloud as 'three times four equals twelve'
- Write a multiplication sentence to match an array
- Read 12 ÷ 3 = 4 aloud correctly
The lesson
You already know the + and − signs, and you know = means 'equals'. Two more signs join that family: × and ÷. The × sign is read as 'times'. The ÷ sign is read as 'divided by'. You read every number sentence from left to right, just like before.
Priya draws an array with 2 rows of 5. She writes the sentence 2 × 5 = 10 and reads it out loud: 'two times five equals ten'.
Read every sign left to right, in the order it's written. In 12 ÷ 3 = 4, say the first number first: 'twelve divided by three equals four'. Reading the numbers backward gives you the wrong sentence.
× means 'times', ÷ means 'divided by', and = still means 'equals'. Read every number sentence left to right.
Watch it
Where it sits
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.