1. The problem asks to express $3 \times 80$ in terms of tens. 2. We know that $80$ can be written as $8$ tens because $80 = 8 \times 10$. 3. So, $3 \times 80 = 3 \times (8 \times 10)$. 4. Using the associative property of multiplication, we get: $$3 \times (8 \times 10) = (3 \times 8) \times 10$$ 5. Calculate $3 \times 8$: $$3 \times 8 = 24$$ 6. Therefore: $$3 \times 80 = 24 \times 10$$ 7. This means $3 \times 80$ equals $24$ tens. 8. Finally, calculate $3 \times 80$ directly: $$3 \times 80 = 240$$ So, filling in the blanks: - $3 \times (\underline{8})$ tens - $3 \times 80 = \underline{24}$ tens - $3 \times 80 = \underline{240}$