1. Problem: Calculate the value of 3 multiplied by 26. 2. Formula: Multiplication can be seen as repeated addition. So, $a \times b = a + a + \cdots + a$ ($b$ times). 3. Calculation: $3 \times 26 = 3 + 3 + \cdots + 3$ (26 times). 4. Simplify: $3 \times 26 = 78$. 5. Explanation: Multiplying 3 by 26 means adding 3 twenty-six times, which equals 78. Final answer: $78$