As we try to solve many different math equations, the most important thing is that we understand what we are being asked to do. Sometimes, equations are written differently from the way we are used to. It is important to know all the different multiplication signs so that we always know what we are supposed to do.
Many times when we see multiplication equations, we see them written with the x symbol. For example, look at this problem:
2 x 3 = 6
In this example, the x indicates that the 2 and the 3 are being multiplied together.
The x is not the only symbol that can be used to show that two numbers are being multiplied together. Sometimes, a little dot is used to show multiplication. This dot looks like this: o. It is used in the same exact place as the x symbol. Let's look at our example again:
2 o 3 = 6
The o is used to replace the x. The new equation says exactly the same thing.
Another way to write multiplication equations is by using parentheses around one of the numbers that is being multiplied by the other. We'll use the same numbers as in our other example:
2(3) = 6
(2)3 = 6
(2)(3) = 6
You can write the equation in all of these ways, and they all mean the same thing!
