Array

Elementary School

Definition

An arrangement of objects, pictures, or numbers in rows and columns is called an array.

{{# def.svg_array_dots :{rows:4,cols:3} }}

This array has 4 rows and 3 columns. It can also be described as a 4 by 3 array

Worked examples

\(\)3 rows\( \times \)5 columns\( = 15\)

An array with 3 rows and 5 columns shows \(3 \times 5\) as repeated addition or equal groups.

\(\)2 rows\( \times \)4 columns\( = 2 \times 4 = 8\)

Count the total dots by multiplying the number of rows by the number of columns.

Common mistakes

\(\)4 rows, 3 columns\( \)→\( 3 \times 4\) → \(\)4 rows, 3 columns\( \)→\( 4 \times 3\) Write rows first, then columns, to match the order given in the array description.
Counting all dots one by one instead of multiplying → Multiply rows by columns to find the total quickly Arrays show that multiplication is a faster way to count objects in equal groups.

Where you'll use it next

Arrays build the foundation for understanding multiplication and division, area models for multi-digit multiplication, and later for matrix operations in algebra.

Found in 1 StudyPug lesson

Arrays and factors

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