What Is an Equal Group in Math?

When students are first learning about the concept of multiplication, they are introduced to many different ways to determine products. Students typically learn about making arrays, skip counting, using a number line and more. Another strategy students typically use is the idea of using equal groups. Students learn that a multiplication problem, such as 4 x 5, can be read as 4 equal groups of 5. So, what exactly is an equal group?

When explaining equal groups to your students, you can explain that the first factor designates how many groups there are and the second factor shows how many objects are in each group. An equal group means that the same number of objects are in each group. Repeated addition can then be used to determine the product.

How to Play Our Multiplication Game

1. Each player will need a game board and a set of colored counters.
2. Shuffle all the cards and place them face down in a stack on the playing surface. 
3. Player 1 draws a card and uses the equal groups model to solve the problem. If their answer is correct, they cover that number on their game board.  
4. The game continues in the same manner for other players. If a student draws a snake card, it means the next “climber” in playing order gets to slither over to that student’s board, remove one counter and add it to their own game board. 
5. If a student draws a bald eagle card, he or she gets to fly over to the board of the next player in line. He or she can take one counter from that student’s board to add to their own board.
6. If a card is drawn and a player has no option to take and give a counter, then place the card back into the deck and shuffle. 
7. Play continues until all of the playing cards have been used.
8. The student with the most counters on their board is the winner!

Print the gameboards and question cards on cardstock. Consider laminating for durability. 

How to Get Your Equal Groups Game

If you are ready for your students to have fun while strengthening their understanding of equal groups and multiplication, head on over to the green download button! Here, you will find the quick-print PDF file and the editable Google Slides document. If selecting the Google Slides option, please note that you will first be prompted to make a copy of the resource to your personal drive before accessing it.

This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and a Teach Starter Collaborator.

Looking for More Multiplication Practice?

Make sure to check out some of our suggested resources to help your students master using equal groups to solve multiplication problems!

teaching resource

Equal Groups Multiplication Worksheets

Reinforce how to relate equal group models and multiplication with this printable worksheet pack.

teaching resource

Equal Groups Multiplication Task Cards

Highlight how to use equal groups to solve multiplication problems with this set of 24 task cards.

teaching resource

Introduction to Multiplication Strategies Teaching Slides

Introduce your students to different multiplication strategies such as arrays, equal groups, repeated addition and skip counting with this 34-page slide deck.