We have already learned how to write multiplication number families. When we solve multiplication word problems, we use number families, too. Let's look at this word problem:
Each basket has 25 apples.
Remember, when we write multiplication number families, we look for the greatest number (larger number) and the lesser numbers (smaller numbers). We're given clues that help us know what the greater and lesser numbers are. For example, in our problem, the word "basket" comes after "each." We know that words that come after "each" stand for a lesser number. Let's use b to stand for "basket." We write:
There are more apples than baskets. So we write t for "total" as the greatest number. There are 25 apples. The other lesser number is 25.
What if we have the same word problem written in a different way?
There are 25 mangoes in each basket.
"Basket" still comes after "each." But "each" comes at the end of the word problem. Does this change our number family? No-b is still a lesser number, since it comes after "each." Let's look at the rest of the problem. There are still more mangoes than baskets. So t for "total" is still the greatest number. We still have 25 as the other lesser number. Our number family looks the same.
Here's a new problem:
There are 6 cartons. In each carton, there are 12 eggs.
What do you notice? We find the word "each" in the second sentence. So what's the word after "each"? The word after "each" is "carton." We'll use c to stand for "carton." Where does c go in the number family? It is a lesser number. The other clue word is "eggs." There are more eggs than cartons, so t, which stands for the total number of eggs, is the greatest number. The other lesser number is 12. Our number family for this word problem looks like this:
Even if the sentence is worded differently, always remember that the word after "each" is a lesser number.
