Multiplication is a basic mathematical operation that combines equal groups to find a total. For example, if you have 3 groups of 4 apples each, you can multiply 3 by 4 to find that you have 12 apples in total. This operation is often represented by the symbol "×" or by using a dot, like this: 3 × 4 = 12. In everyday life, multiplication is used in various situations, such as calculating costs, determining areas, or scaling recipes. It is one of the four fundamental arithmetic operations, along with addition, subtraction, and division, and is essential for more advanced math concepts like algebra and geometry.