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Multiplicand — Definition, Formula & Examples

The multiplicand is the number being multiplied by another number. In the expression 5×35 \times 3, the multiplicand is 5 because it is the number that gets multiplied.

In a multiplication operation expressed as a×b=ca \times b = c, the multiplicand is the first factor aa—the quantity that is taken a certain number of times as specified by the multiplier bb to produce the product cc.

Key Formula

multiplicand×multiplier=product\text{multiplicand} \times \text{multiplier} = \text{product}
Where:
  • multiplicand\text{multiplicand} = The number being multiplied
  • multiplier\text{multiplier} = The number of times the multiplicand is taken
  • product\text{product} = The result of the multiplication

How It Works

In a multiplication sentence, the multiplicand comes first, the multiplier comes second, and the result is the product. Think of 4×34 \times 3 as "4 taken 3 times," so 4 is the multiplicand and 3 is the multiplier. Because multiplication is commutative (a×b=b×aa \times b = b \times a), swapping the two factors gives the same product, which is why many modern textbooks simply call both numbers "factors" instead of distinguishing between multiplicand and multiplier.

Worked Example

Problem: Identify the multiplicand, multiplier, and product in the equation 7×6=427 \times 6 = 42.
Identify the multiplicand: The first factor, 7, is the multiplicand—the number being multiplied.
multiplicand=7\text{multiplicand} = 7
Identify the multiplier: The second factor, 6, is the multiplier—it tells you how many times to take 7.
multiplier=6\text{multiplier} = 6
Identify the product: The result of the multiplication is the product.
product=42\text{product} = 42
Answer: In 7×6=427 \times 6 = 42, the multiplicand is 7, the multiplier is 6, and the product is 42.

Why It Matters

Understanding vocabulary like multiplicand, multiplier, and product helps you follow instructions on math tests and worksheets that use these terms. It also builds a foundation for later topics like long multiplication and algebra, where knowing which number plays which role matters for setting up problems correctly.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Confusing the multiplicand with the multiplier.
Correction: The multiplicand is the number being multiplied (first factor), while the multiplier tells how many times to take it (second factor). In 8×58 \times 5, the multiplicand is 8 and the multiplier is 5.