Arithmetic. a mathematical operation, symbolized by a × b, a ⋅ b, a ∗ b, or ab, and signifying, when a and b are positive integers, that a is to be added to itself as many times as there are units in b; the addition of a number to itself as often as is indicated by another number, as in 2×3 or 5×10.
Mathematics. any generalization of this operation applicable to numbers other than integers, as fractions or irrational numbers.
Origin of multiplication
1350–1400;Middle Englishmultiplicacio(u)n < Latinmultiplicātiōn- (stem of multiplicātiō). See multi-, plication
Related formsmul·ti·pli·ca·tion·al, adjectivenon·mul·ti·pli·ca·tion, nounnon·mul·ti·pli·ca·tion·al, adjectiveo·ver·mul·ti·pli·ca·tion, nounre·mul·ti·pli·ca·tion, noun
an arithmetical operation, defined initially in terms of repeated addition, usually written a × b, a.b, or ab, by which the product of two quantities is calculated: to multiply a by positive integral b is to add a to itself b times. Multiplication by fractions can then be defined in the light of the associative and commutative properties; multiplication by 1/ n is equivalent to multiplication by 1 followed by division by n: for example 0.3 × 0.7 = 0.3 × 7/10 = (0.3 × 7)/10 = 2 1/10 = 0.21
the act of multiplying or state of being multiplied
the act or process in animals, plants, or people of reproducing or breeding
mid-14c., from Old French multiplicacion (12c.) "multiplication, duplication; multiplicity, diversity," from Latin multiplicationem (nominative multiplicatio), noun of action from past participle stem of multiplicare (see multiply). Mathematical sense is attested from late 14c.
A mathematical operation performed on a pair of numbers in order to derive a third number called a product. For positive integers, multiplication consists of adding a number (the multiplicand) to itself a specified number of times. Thus multiplying 6 by 3 means adding 6 to itself three times. The operation of multiplication is extended to other real numbers according to the rules governing the multiplicative properties of positive integers.
Any of certain analogous operations involving mathematical objects other than numbers.
