standard_description: Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers. For example, determine the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 × ? = 48, 5 = �� ÷ 3, 6 × 6 = ?.
problem_activity: Narrative
The purpose of this Number Talk is to elicit strategies and understandings students have about equal groups in multiplication expressions and see a pattern as one factor is decreased. These understandings help students develop fluency and will be helpful later in this lesson when students will need to be able to use multiplication to answer questions about array situations.
When students notice that as the number being multiplied by 2 decreases the product decreases by a group of 2, they look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning (MP8).
Launch
Display one expression.
“Give me a signal when you have an answer and can explain how you got it.”
1 minute: quiet think time
Activity
Record answers and strategy.
Keep expressions and work displayed.
Repeat with each expression.
Student Facing
Find the value of each expression mentally.
\(10\times2\)
\(9\times2\)
\(8\times2\)
\(7\times2\)
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
“What do you notice about the products as we worked through this series of problems?” (They decrease by 2.)
“Why does the product decrease by 2 each time?” (The number of groups decreased by 1.)


aligns: no