3(23) really means 323, 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 323 into two numbers you're familiar with multiplying, like 20 and 3, and then add the numbers together. For example: 320 + 33. 320=60, 33=9, and 60+9=69. So, 3*23=69.
