multiplication

American  

[muhl-tuh-pli-key-shuhn] / ˌmʌl tə plɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of multiplying multiply or the state of being multiplied. multiply.

2. 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.

3. Mathematics. any generalization of this operation applicable to numbers other than integers, as fractions or irrational numbers.

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multiplication British  

/ ˌmʌltɪplɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. 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

2. the act of multiplying or state of being multiplied

3. the act or process in animals, plants, or people of reproducing or breeding

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multiplication Scientific  

/ mŭl′tə-plĭ-kā′shən /

1. 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.

2. Any of certain analogous operations involving mathematical objects other than numbers.

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Other Word Forms

• multiplicational adjective
• nonmultiplication noun
• nonmultiplicational adjective
• overmultiplication noun
• remultiplication noun

Etymology

Origin of multiplication

1350–1400; Middle English multiplicacio ( u ) n < Latin multiplicātiōn- (stem of multiplicātiō ). See multi-, plication

Example Sentences

Try jotting down three fractions separated by multiplication signs: earnings/sales x sales/assets x assets/equity.

From Barron's

Try jotting down three fractions separated by multiplication signs: earnings/sales x sales/assets x assets/equity.

From Barron's

Even so, she had to start over several times, and not only because of the tricky sevens and eights of the multiplication tables.

From Literature

“Eight times twelve is ninety-six! Do you recall that peculiar letter I sent you? Filled with pages about multiplication and ferns and so on?”

From Literature

Cassiopeia tried to show her some basic facts of multiplication, but Bertha proved even less adept at math than Nutsawoo, who could at least comprehend that three acorns made a more filling snack than two.

From Literature

Related Words

• amplification