Multiplication Basics 677358

1. **Problem statement:** The question asks, **what is multiplication**? 2. **Definition:** Multiplication is a way of **combining equal groups**. 3. **Formula:** If you have $a$ groups with $b$ in each group, then the total is $a \times b$. 4. **Important rule:** Multiplication is repeated addition. 5. **Example:** $3 \times 4 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12$. 6. **Another example:** $2 \times 5 = 5 + 5 = 10$. 7. **Final answer:** Multiplication means adding the same number again and again to get a total.