Multiplication: meaning, definitions and examples
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multiplication
[ˌmʌltɪplɪˈkeɪʃən ]
Definitions
mathematics
The process of combining two or more numbers to get a result called the product. It involves repeated addition of the same number.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| multiplication |
Used in mathematics to describe the process of finding the product of two or more numbers. It is often used in academic or educational settings.
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| times |
An informal or conversational term often used to describe multiplication, especially in spoken contexts or with younger students.
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| product |
In mathematics, it represents the result of multiplying two or more numbers. Also, in business, it can refer to an item produced or sold.
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| multiplying |
A verb form describing the action of performing multiplication. It is suitable for use when actively describing the process.
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Examples of usage
- Multiplication is a fundamental operation in mathematics.
- She used multiplication to solve the problem quickly.
general
The act or process of multiplying or the state of being multiplied.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| multiplication |
Used in mathematical contexts or when referring to something becoming many times greater.
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| increase |
A general term used to describe something becoming larger in quantity, size, or amount, applicable in various contexts.
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| growth |
Used to describe a process of increasing in size, number, or importance, typically in natural, personal, or economic scenarios.
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| expansion |
Used when describing something spreading out or growing in size, often in a physical, economic, or business context.
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Examples of usage
- The rapid multiplication of cells can lead to cancer.
- The multiplication of ideas can result in innovation.
biology
The process of reproduction in which a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
Synonyms
division, proliferation, reproduction.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| multiplication |
Used in mathematics to describe the operation of adding a number to itself a certain number of times.
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| reproduction |
Used to describe the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced.
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| division |
Used in mathematics to describe the operation of splitting a number into equal parts.
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| proliferation |
Used to describe the rapid increase in numbers, often in a biological, social, or technological context.
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Examples of usage
- Cell multiplication is essential for growth and repair in organisms.
- The multiplication of bacteria is a key factor in infections.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The concept of multiplying numbers appeared in ancient times, with early methods used by the Babylonians around 2000 BCE.
- In ancient Egypt, multiplication was performed using a process called 'doubling,' which laid foundational principles for the operation.
- The symbol for multiplication (×) was first used in the 17th century, though earlier notation involved words and dots.
Mathematics
- Multiplication is one of the four basic operations in arithmetic, alongside addition, subtraction, and division.
- In mathematics, multiplying two negative numbers results in a positive number, which baffles many students at first.
- The multiplication table was introduced to help learn and quickly perform multiplication tasks; mastering it is often a rite of passage for schoolchildren.
Education
- Games and interactive activities can enhance learning multiplication by making it fun, like using flashcards or apps that bring numbers to life.
- Studies show that visual aids, such as arrays and grouping objects, help children understand the concept of multiplication better.
- Teaching methods that incorporate storytelling or real-world examples, like sharing candies, make multiplication relatable to young learners.
Culture
- Multiplication and math in general are often depicted in popular culture as symbols of intelligence or even geekiness, especially in movies or TV shows.
- In music, some song lyrics reference multiplication as a metaphor for increasing passion or abundance, reflecting cultural appreciation for math.
- Mathematics education varies globally, with different countries adopting unique approaches to teaching multiplication, reflecting cultural attitudes towards learning.
Science
- In science, multiplication is crucial for calculations involving formulas, such as finding areas or volumes where dimensions are multiplied.
- Population studies often use multiplication to predict growth in a given area, showing practical applications beyond pure mathematics.
- The concept of multiplication is also applied in physics, such as finding momentum, where mass is multiplied by velocity.
Translations
Translations of the word "multiplication" in other languages:
🇵🇹 multiplicação
🇮🇳 गुणा
🇩🇪 Multiplikation
🇮🇩 perkalian
🇺🇦 множення
🇵🇱 mnożenie
🇯🇵 乗算
🇫🇷 multiplication
🇪🇸 multiplicación
🇹🇷 çarpma
🇰🇷 곱셈
🇸🇦 ضرب
🇨🇿 násobení
🇸🇰 násobenie
🇨🇳 乘法
🇸🇮 množenje
🇮🇸 margföldun
🇰🇿 көбейту
🇬🇪 ნამრავლი
🇦🇿 vurma
🇲🇽 multiplicación