Array — 3 × 12 = 36 — free printable diagram

What is 3 × 12?

This array is laid out as 3 rows of 12 dots. Counting every dot gives 36, so 3 × 12 = 36.

Rows

3

Columns

12

Total dots

36

Multiplication

3 × 12 = 36

Division

36 ÷ 3 = 12

• Count the rows, then count how many are in each row: 3 rows of 12 makes 3 × 12 = 36.
• As repeated addition that is 12 added 3 times: 12 + 12 + 12 = 36.
• Turning the array on its side does not change the total, which is the commutative property: 3 × 12 = 12 × 3 = 36.
• The same picture shows the two division facts as well: 36 ÷ 3 = 12 and 36 ÷ 12 = 3.