Maths Adventures
Arctic maths quest: multiplication
A story-led junior maths adventure using ice maps, temperature and survival supplies to use equal groups, arrays and repeated patterns.
Quick answer
By multiplying equal groups, you can quickly work out how many items you have in total – like counting 3 groups of 4 ice blocks to find you have 12 ice blocks.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to multiply equal groups to find totals – like counting how many ice cubes, penguins, or survival supplies you have in your Arctic adventure. Success signs:- You can make equal groups and count them to multiply.
- You can use arrays (like rows and columns) to multiply.
- You can solve real-life Arctic problems using multiplication.
- You can work out how many items you have in total by multiplying.
Why this matters
Multiplication helps you count faster when you have equal groups of things. In your Arctic adventure, you might have 4 ice blocks in each row, and 3 rows – that’s 4 × 3 = 12 ice blocks. This is useful for planning your supplies, counting penguins, or sharing food. In real life, multiplication helps you work out how much food to buy, how many seats you need, or how many toys are in a box. It's a super-power for solving big counting problems quickly!How it works
Multiplication is like adding the same number over and over again. Instead of adding 3 + 3 + 3 + 3, you can multiply 3 × 4 to get the same answer. You can think of multiplication in three ways:- Equal groups: 3 groups of 4 ice blocks = 12 ice blocks
- Arrays: 3 rows of 4 = 12 items in total
- Repeated addition: 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
Examples you can see
Let’s imagine you are on an Arctic quest and you need to count your survival supplies. Example 1: Ice Blocks You have 3 rows of ice blocks, and each row has 4 blocks.- Group 1: 4 blocks
- Group 2: 4 blocks
- Group 3: 4 blocks
- Nest 1: 2 eggs
- Nest 2: 2 eggs
- Nest 3: 2 eggs
- Nest 4: 2 eggs
- Nest 5: 2 eggs
- Box 1: 3 goggles
- Box 2: 3 goggles
- Box 3: 3 goggles
- Box 4: 3 goggles
- Box 5: 3 goggles
- Box 6: 3 goggles
Try it as a mini adventure
Arctic Survival Quest: Ice Cube Counting You are on a journey through the Arctic. You find a frozen lake with ice blocks arranged in a grid. You need to count how many ice blocks there are to build a shelter. 1st time: You see 4 rows of ice blocks. 2nd time: Each row has 3 ice blocks. 3rd time: You count the rows and blocks. How many ice blocks are there in total? Answer: 4 rows × 3 blocks = 12 ice blocks You can draw a grid to help:| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking 3 × 4 = 12, but confusing it with 3 + 4 = 7.
Why it happens: Mixing up multiplication and addition.
Fix: Use equal groups or arrays to show 3 groups of 4 = 12. - Mistake: Counting rows and columns wrong in arrays.
Why it happens: Not being careful with directions.
Fix: Label rows and columns clearly, and count them one by one. - Mistake: Using the wrong number in multiplication.
Why it happens: Not reading the problem carefully.
Fix: Read the question again and double-check your numbers.
Parent and carer guide
Parents and carers can help by:- Using everyday objects like Lego, counters, or food to make equal groups.
- Playing multiplication games like rolling dice and multiplying the numbers.
- Encouraging children to draw arrays to help them see multiplication.
- Using real-life situations like “If you have 3 bags with 4 apples each, how many apples do you have?”
- Reassuring children that it’s okay to make mistakes – they help you learn!
Practice questions
- How many legs do 5 spiders have? (Each spider has 8 legs)
Answer: 5 × 8 = 40 legs - You have 4 rows of 6 snowballs. How many snowballs are there?
Answer: 4 × 6 = 24 snowballs - Each penguin has 2 feet. How many feet do 7 penguins have?
Answer: 7 × 2 = 14 feet - You find 3 boxes of 5 ice skates. How many skates are there?
Answer: 3 × 5 = 15 skates - Each sled holds 4 people. How many people can 6 sleds hold?
Answer: 6 × 4 = 24 people
FAQ
What is multiplication?
Multiplication is a way of adding equal groups quickly. Instead of adding 3 + 3 + 3, you can multiply 3 × 3 to get 9.
How can I practice multiplication at home?
You can use objects like counters, blocks, or toys to make equal groups and multiply them. You can also play games with dice or cards.
Why is multiplication useful?
Multiplication helps you count faster when you have equal groups. It is useful for sharing food, planning supplies, and solving many everyday problems.
How do I know if I have done multiplication right?
You can check your answer by adding the same number repeatedly or by drawing arrays to show your work.
Can I use multiplication with any numbers?
Yes! You can multiply any numbers, from 1 to 100, using equal groups or arrays.