Multiply A 3-digit Number By A 1-digit Number - Maths - BBC Bitesize

Home » How To Multiply 3 Digit Numbers » Multiply A 3-digit Number By A 1-digit Number - Maths - BBC Bitesize

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  1. Introduction
  2. Quiz
  3. Explanation
  4. Examples

How do you multiply a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number?

When you multiply a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number, the best way to do this without a calculator is to use short multiplication.

This is how you would use short multiplication to find out the answer to the calculation 232 × 3.

A boy points to a grid with 232 × 3 written as short multiplication. 232 is written horizontally, with H above the 2m T above the 3 and O above the 2. A 3 is placed under the final 2. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The final answer is in the answer space below, it is 696.

You need to make sure your digits are in the correct columns, so that you multiply the correct numbers.

Your answer goes between the two lines. Make sure you put the digits in the same column as the 3-digit number you are multiplying.

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Quiz: Multiplying a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number

Test out your multiplication skills with this quiz, then read on to complete the page.

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Using a place value chart to multiply

You can use a place value chart and place value counters to help you multiply a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number.

This place value chart shows 3 groups of the number 254.

A chart with columns for hundreds, tens, and ones. In each of its 3 rows, there are 2 hundreds counters, 5 tens counters and 4 ones counters.

This is how you write it as a multiplication sentence:

254 × 3

To find the answer you need to add the value of the columns together.

But first first, you need to exchange between the place value columns.

Image gallerySkip image gallery
  1. A chart with columns for hundreds, tens, and ones. In all three rows, there are 2 hundreds counters, 5 tens counters and 4 ones counters. 10 one counters are surrounded by a box with an arrow pointing to the tens column signifying a transfer.
    Image caption,

    There are 12 ones. Exchange 10 ones for 1 ten.

1 of 4

Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 4, A chart with columns for hundreds, tens, and ones. In all three rows, there are 2 hundreds counters, 5 tens counters and 4 ones counters. 10 one counters are surrounded by a box with an arrow pointing to the tens column signifying a transfer., There are 12 ones. Exchange 10 ones for 1 ten.End of image galleryBack to top

The short multiplication method

Here is a multiplication sentence:

231 × 3 =

To work out the answer using the short multiplication method you need to write it like this:

To the left a label reads 231 × 3. To the right it is written as short multiplication. 231 is written horizontally, with H above the 2m T above the 3 and O above the 1. A 3 is placed under the final 1. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The answer space is blank.

Your answer will go in between the equals sign at the bottom.

You may want to use a place value chart to help with each step of the short multiplication.

Take a look at how to use this method in the slideshow below.

Image gallerySkip image gallery
  1. On the left a place value chart with columns for hundreds, tens, and ones. In 3 rows of the chart, there are 2 hundreds counters, 3 tens counters and 1 ones counter. 3 is written in the fourth row in the ones column. To the left a label reads 231 × 3. To the right it is written as short multiplication. 231 is written horizontally. A 3 is placed under the final 1. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The answer space contains a 3 in the ones column
    Image caption,

    Start with the ones column. 1 × 3 = 3.

1 of 3

Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 3, On the left a place value chart with columns for hundreds, tens, and ones. In 3 rows of the chart, there are 2 hundreds counters, 3 tens counters and 1 ones counter. 3 is written in the fourth row in the ones column. To the left a label reads 231 × 3. To the right it is written as short multiplication. 231 is written horizontally. A 3 is placed under the final 1. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The answer space contains a 3 in the ones column, Start with the ones column. 1 × 3 = 3.End of image galleryBack to top

Short multiplication and exchanging between place value columns

This is how you carry out a short multiplication when the value in a place value column exceeds 9 and you need to exchange between columns.

The multiplication sentence and the method for working out the answer looks like this:

The multiplication sentence 144 × 3 is written as short multiplication. 144 is written horizontally. A 3 is placed under the final 4. The operator × is aligned to the left of the calculation. The answer space is blank.

This is a place value table for this calculation.

Image gallerySkip image gallery
  1. A place value chart for 144 multiplied by 3. There are headings for hundreds, tens, and ones. There are 3 rows. In each row 1 hundreds counter, 4 tens counters and 4 ones counters. The multiplication sentence 144 × 3 is also written in short multiplication format.
    Image caption,

    Start with the ones column. 4 × 3 = 12. Since 12 is greater than 9, it cannot all stay in the ones column...

1 of 5

Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 5, A place value chart for 144 multiplied by 3. There are headings for hundreds, tens, and ones. There are 3 rows. In each row 1 hundreds counter, 4 tens counters and 4 ones counters. The multiplication sentence 144 × 3 is also written in short multiplication format., Start with the ones column. 4 × 3 = 12. Since 12 is greater than 9, it cannot all stay in the ones column...End of image galleryBack to top

Example 1

The sum 236 multiplied by 2 is shown. The numbers are placed under hundreds, tens, and ones.

Work out the answer to 236 × 2 using short multiplication.

You could use a place value chart or counters to help.

Show answer

✓ The answer is 472.

Did you remember to add your exchanged ten?

A completed grid showing the answer to 236 times 2. 236 and 2 are shown as hundreds, tens, and ones. The result is 472, with a small 1 under the second line.
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More on Multiplying and dividing

Find out more by working through a topic

  • Short division using written methods

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  • How to work out division with remainders

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  • Divide a 2-digit by a 1-digit number

    • count22 of 32

  • Multiplication as scaling

    • count23 of 32

Tag » How To Multiply 3 Digit Numbers