Year 3 introduces the 3, 4 and 8 times tables. The 4 times table is double the 2s, and the 8 times table is double the 4s — patterns that make these facts easier to learn.
What your child will learn
- Recall multiplication facts for the 3, 4 and 8 times tables
- Use doubling to connect the 2, 4 and 8 times tables
- Solve missing number problems such as 4 × ? = 32
- Solve multiplication stories
Doubling patterns
3 × 2 = 6, so 3 × 4 = 12 (double 6), and 3 × 8 = 24 (double 12). Once a child knows their 2s, they can work out their 4s and 8s by doubling.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. What is 2 × 3?
Show answer
Answer: 6. Count in 3s: 3, 6. So 2 × 3 = 6.
2. What is 3 × 10?
- 13
- 27
- 33
- 30
Show answer
Answer: 30. Count in 3s: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30. So 3 × 10 = 30.
3. What is 3 × 2?
- 6
- 3
- 9
- 5
Show answer
Answer: 6. Count in 3s: 3, 6. So 3 × 2 = 6.
Tips for grown-ups
- Practise one table at a time before mixing them.
- Count legs: 4 on a dog, 8 on a spider, 3 on a tripod.
- Say facts in both orders: 3 × 8 and 8 × 3.