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3 By 1 Digit Multiplication With Carrying Explained

3 by 1 digit multiplication is a step-by-step way to multiply a three-digit number by a single digit. The key is to work from right to left, one place value at a time, and regroup whenever a product reaches 10 or more. Once you understand the pattern, the method becomes reliable and easy to check, even with larger numbers.

Start with place value

Begin with the ones digit, then move to the tens and hundreds. Multiply each digit by the single-digit number, writing the answer in the correct place value column. If the ones place gives a two-digit product, keep the ones digit and carry the tens digit to the next column. For example, in 246 × 3, first do 6 × 3, then 4 × 3, then 2 × 3. Keeping each digit aligned helps prevent mistakes and makes the regrouping step clear.

A single-digit multiplication worksheet with 20 vertical problems multiplying numbers by 2 and 3, with blank lines for answers.

source: K12 Math Worksheets

A three-digit by one-digit multiplication worksheet with fifteen multiple-choice problems and a worked example at the top.

source: Teach Prints

Regrouping each step

When a product is 10 or more, regroup immediately. Suppose you are multiplying 246 × 3. First, 6 × 3 = 18, so write 8 and carry 1 to the tens place. Next, 4 × 3 = 12, plus the carried 1 makes 13, so write 3 and carry 1 again. Finally, 2 × 3 = 6, plus the carried 1 makes 7. The answer is 738. This shows how carrying connects each place value without changing the original number.

A worksheet titled “Practising the Column Method for Short Multiplication,” with numbered column multiplication problems and spaces for working.

source: Cazoom Maths

A multiplication worksheet with worked examples and twenty vertical 3-digit-by-1-digit multiplication problems, each with blank boxes for carrying digits.

source: Teach Prints

A quick estimate can tell you whether your answer is reasonable. Round the three-digit number to the nearest hundred or tens, then multiply by the one-digit number. For 246 × 3, an estimate of 200 × 3 gives about 600, so 738 should seem plausible. You can also check with the reverse operation: divide the product by the one-digit factor. If 738 ÷ 3 = 246, the multiplication is correct. Estimation and reverse checking make 3 by 1 digit multiplication more dependable.

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