Multiplication is a basic math operation where you combine equal groups to find a total, often described as repeated addition. For example, 4 × 3 means 4 + 4 + 4.
From Latin *multiplicatio* “a multiplying, increase,” from *multiplicare* “to multiply,” based on *multi-* “many” + *plicare* “to fold.” The idea is of “many folds” or layers being added.
The symbol × doesn’t mean “times” in all math—higher math usually drops it because it can be confused with the letter x. Multiplication is like a fast-forward button for addition: instead of adding the same number again and again, you “fold” it into a single operation. That’s why learning times tables suddenly makes lots of problems easier.
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