1. Let's start with the problem: multiply 24 by 9. 2. The multiplication formula is: $a \times b = c$, where $a$ and $b$ are numbers and $c$ is the product. 3. We want to find $24 \times 9$. 4. Break down 24 into 20 and 4 to make it easier: $24 = 20 + 4$. 5. Use the distributive property: $24 \times 9 = (20 + 4) \times 9 = 20 \times 9 + 4 \times 9$. 6. Calculate each part: $20 \times 9 = 180$ and $4 \times 9 = 36$. 7. Add the results: $180 + 36 = 216$. 8. So, $24 \times 9 = 216$. This means if you have 24 groups of 9 items, you have 216 items in total.