Multiplication Practice with Jelly Bean Arrays

Have you ever worked with arrays? It’s a great way to visualize multiplication and these Jelly Bean Arrays are a fun way to learn.

So, today we’re grabbing our Easter candy and having some fun. Are you ready to learn?

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Arrays are a great way to describe a multiplication problem and help you “see”  how to get the answer.

It’s a great way to visualize multiplication. And it’s another one of those things I didn’t learn in school, but my children are. I’m glad they are!

How Do You Use Arrays In Multiplication?

First of all, let’s define an array. Quite simply, it’s a visual representative of a multiplication problem (at least in our case) using objects arranged in rows and columns.

Take the multiplication problem, 2 x 4. The first number, two, represents the number of rows. The second number, four, represents the number of columns.

So, for 2 x 4, we would create two rows with four objects each.

What Else Does the Array Show?

In the above photo, you’ve got three rows and four columns. It represents 3 x 4. Or, 4 + 4 + 4. Can you see that?

And the answer to both of those math problems is twelve.

Arrays can tell you a lot!

Jelly Bean Arrays

Now that we have an understanding of arrays, let’s grab our jelly beans and have some fun.

Our set-up was simple, I just used an index card to display my arrays and grabbed a pile of jelly beans.

Note: You can do this any time of the year. Just use M&Ms or Skittles instead of jelly beans.

The only other thing you need are some multiplication problems.

Let’s start solving!

How do you solve 3 x 2?

You’d make 3 rows with 2 jelly beans in each row. Now let’s solve. Count up the jelly beans and you’ll find 6. 3 x 2 = 6

Let’s flip the problem around? Would 2 x 3 look the same as 3 x 2?

The answer is the same, but the array would look different. To make an array for 2 x 3, you’d have 2 rows with 3 jelly beans in each row.

Keep using jelly bean arrays to work on all your multiplication problems. I love how this helps you see exactly how to solve a multiplication problem.

This is such a great math tool!

More Fun Math Activities

Learn your multiplication facts with this fun and easy to make Paper Plate Multiplication Practice Activity

Visualize skip counting with this fun STEAM activity – Math Art: Skip Counting Pointillism

Hands-On Perimeter Activity: Perimeter Lab is a fun way to practice measuring and calculating perimeter using real objects.

These Patterned Multiplication Circles at Lemon Lime Adventures are another great way to visualize multiplication.

More Multiplication Resources

It can take a lot of work to memorize multiplication facts, so it’s great to have a variety of games and activities to help your kids.

Here are some fun ideas to consider: