5×3

5×3 is a mathematical expression that denotes the product of the integers 5 and 3. The result is the number 15.

Notation and properties: The × symbol denotes the multiplication operator; alternatives include 5·3 or 5(3). Multiplication is commutative, so 5×3 = 3×5, and it is associative with respect to grouping, as in (a×b)×c = a×(b×c).

Interpretation and visualization: As repeated addition, 5×3 = 5 + 5 + 5, and 3×5 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3. As area, a rectangle with dimensions 5 by 3 units has area 15 square units.

Applications: This basic product appears in elementary education, in area and measurement problems, scaling recipes, financial calculations, and many other everyday computations where quantities are repeated or arranged in a rectangular grid.

History and context: The concept of multiplication has ancient origins in various civilizations, used to combine equal groups and compute areas. Modern notation, including the × symbol, developed over time and became standard in mathematical texts and teaching. 5×3 remains a common example in multiplication tables and introductory arithmetic.