Definition
Repeated addition
Repeated addition adds the same amount several times to represent equal groups.
Continue from this idea into connected AXIO math.
Defining relationship
Same-size group, same addend—write it once for every group.
Repeated addition is a sum in which the same addend appears a fixed number of times. For whole-number multiplication, it can represent equal groups: a number of groups of a size is written by adding that size once for each group.
- 4 groups
- 3 in each group
- 12 altogether
What it means
Picture equal bags with the same number of objects in each bag. Instead of counting every object one by one, add one equal group at a time. Five bags with 3 marbles each give 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15, matching 5 × 3 = 15.
Remember it
Same-size group, same addend—write it once for every group.
Example
There are 6 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. Write one 4 for every tray: 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 24. The repeated addition represents 6 groups of 4, so 6 × 4 = 24.
Watch for
The addends must be equal. The sum 4 + 4 + 3 is addition, but it is not repeated addition of one amount.
Common mix-up
Repeated addition is a useful early model for whole-number multiplication, but multiplication has broader meanings in later mathematics.
Exact meaning
Repeated addition is a sum in which the same addend appears a fixed number of times. For whole-number multiplication, it can represent equal groups: a number of groups of a size is written by adding that size once for each group.