How To Solve Math Problems In A 3X3 Grid

Math teachers assign math worksheets with grids, which look like large lined squares with a column of numbers going down and a row of numbers going across. Where the column and row intersect, you might see a mathematical process, such as a "x" for multiplication or a "+" for addition, which lets the student know how he should process the numbers in the column by the numbers in the numbers in the row. A 3 x 3 grid will actually have four columns and four rows, because the shaded area with the printed numbers (numbers you will multiply or add together) does not necessarily count as part of the grid.

Step 1

Look at the symbol in the top left corner, where the column and row intersect. For example, if there were an "x" in the top left corner you would multiply the numbers in the column by the numbers in the row. Consider this example: the column going down reads as 1, 2, 3 and the row going across reads as 4, 5, 6. Work the chart going left to right, top to bottom. You should work the top row first, then move to the second row and finish with the third row.

Step 2

Multiply the numbers for the first number in the column by the first number in the row. Since 1 x 4 = 4 you would write "4" in the top left box on the top row.

Step 3

Multiply the numbers for the first number in the column by the second number in the row. Since 1 x 5 = 5 you would write "5" in the top middle box on the top row.

Step 4

Multiply the numbers for the first number in the column by the third number in the row. Since 1 x 6 = 6 you would write "6" in the top right box on the top row.

Step 1

Multiply the numbers for the second number in the column by the first number in the row. Since 2 x 4 = 8 you would write "8" in the appropriate box.

Step 2

Multiply the numbers for the second number in the column by the second number in the row. Since 2 x 5 = 10 you would write "10" in the appropriate box.

Step 3

Multiply the numbers for the second number in the column by the third number in the row. Since 2 x 6 = 12 you would write "12" in the appropriate box.

Step 1

Multiply the numbers for the third number in the column by the first number in the row. Since 3 x 4 = 12 you would write "12" in the appropriate box.

Step 2

Multiply the numbers for the third number in the column by the second number in the row. Since 3 x 5 = 15 you would write "15" in the appropriate box.

Step 3

Multiply the numbers for the third number in the column by the third number in the row. Since 3 x 6 = 18 you would write "18" in the appropriate box. Your 3 x 3 grid is now complete.