Skill: Solve array and area multiplication problems

An array or a rectangle tiled with unit squares has equal groups.

• The number of rows tells how many groups there are.
• The number in each row, or the number of columns, tells how many are in each group.
• Multiply to find the total.

Example: A rectangle is $4$ squares long and $6$ squares wide. How many unit squares cover it?

1. Identify the factors:

$$4 \text{ rows} \quad \text{and} \quad 6 \text{ squares in each row}$$

2. Multiply:

$$4 \times 6 = 24$$

3. Include the unit:

$$\boxed{24\text{ square units}}$$

So, the rectangle has $(24)$ unit squares of area. Turning the rectangle does not change the total, so $(6 \times 4)$ also equals $(24)$. Do not add the side lengths; adding them would help find perimeter, not area.