3(23) really means 3*23, or just 3 multiplied by 23. For example: "Jana has 23 dollars. Her friend John has $23, and his friend Jacob also has 23 dollars. How much money do they have all together?" To solve this problem mentally, you could break 3*23 into two numbers you're familiar with multiplying, like 20 and 3, and then add the numbers together. For example: 3*20 + 3*3. 3*20=60, 3*3=9, and 60+9=69. So, 3*23=69.
