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Multiplying 23 × 14 without "carrying the one"

The area model turns a hard multiplication problem into four easy ones. Here is how it works, why teachers love it, and how it connects to the method you learned.

An area model for 23 × 14 split into four boxes: 200, 30, 80, and 12.

If your 4th grader is drawing rectangles on their multiplication homework, they are using an area model. It looks like extra work, but it is the method most likely to stick.

The idea in one sentence

Split each number by place value, multiply every piece, and add the pieces up.

Step by step: 23 × 14

  1. Split 23 into 20 and 3. Split 14 into 10 and 4.
  2. Draw a rectangle with 2 columns (20 and 3) and 2 rows (10 and 4).
  3. Multiply each box: 20 × 10 = 200, 3 × 10 = 30, 20 × 4 = 80, 3 × 4 = 12.
  4. Add the boxes: 200 + 30 + 80 + 12 = 322.

Try it yourself. Tap each box to multiply it, or change the numbers.

203104

23 × 14 = ?

Tap a box to multiply that part. Add the parts to get the answer.

Practice sheet

Print this one out for the kitchen table. The boxes are already drawn, so your kid can focus on the math.

Worksheet · 3rd grade, 4th grade

Area model multiplication practice

Six multiplication problems with area model boxes already drawn, from 23 × 4 up to 25 × 16. For 3rd and 4th graders learning to multiply bigger numbers.

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