Arrays

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Arrays can help your children develop concepts of multiplication and division. An array is a set of objects organized into equal groups. For example, 6 objects can be arranged into several different arrays: 1 group of 6 objects, 6 groups with 1 object in each group, 3 groups with 2 objects in each group, or 2 groups with 3 objects in each group. Arrays are all around us: A pack of socks might have 3 pairs, a carton of eggs might have 2 rows of 6 eggs, a tray of muffins might have 3 rows of 2 muffins, etc. Together with your children, think of objects that are grouped in sets. Familiarize them with arrays by organizing objects in different ways.