3 rows of 4 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
Let's count the stars in this picture. They're lined up in neat rows and columns — that's called an array.
First, let's count the rows going across. One, two, three. There are three rows.
Now let's count how many stars are in each row. One, two, three, four. Four stars in every row.
So we have three rows of four. We can say that as 'three rows of four.'
Instead of counting one by one, we can add. The first row has four stars. Write four.
The second row also has four. Add another four.
And the third row has four too. Add one more four.
Now let's add them up. Four plus four is eight.
And eight plus four more is twelve.
Three rows of four equals twelve. Repeated addition helps us count arrays fast!