3 Times Table
Have You Ever Wondered Why Multiplying by 3 Rocks?
At a puppy party, you’re giving treats to cute pups! Each puppy needs 3 biscuits to wag their tails. Got 5 puppies?
Multiply 5 by 3—poof!
That’s 15 biscuits to keep them grinning!
The 3 Times Table for Kids
Welcome to tripling! The 3 times table marches in a lively beat: 3, 6, 9, 12 … It’s perfect for clapping games, songs, and learning about triangles or thirds in fractions.
Examples
- 🍦 Ice‑Cream Parlour: Three friends each order 3 scoops of their favourite flavour. Multiply 3 × 3 and you’re scooping 9 delicious scoops into waffle cones.
- 🚲 Tricycle Wheels: The playground has 3 sturdy tricycles. Every trike stands on 3 wheels, so 3 × 3 rolls out 9 spinning wheels ready for a race.
- 🥇 Sports Medals: After a mini‑tournament, 3 teams each receive 2 shiny medals. With 3 × 2 you count 6 medals glimmering under the lights.
- 🎨 Paint Pots: Three young artists share a table. Each artist sets out 4 bright paint pots, so 3 × 4 turns the desk into a rainbow of 12 colourful pots.
Hacks & Tricks
- 🎵 Skip‑Count Song: Sing 3, 6, 9, 12 to a favourite tune.
- 🔢 Digit‑Sum Trick: The digits of every answer add to 3, 6, or 9.
- 🔺 Triangle Visual: Imagine groups of three forming triangles.
- ⚽ Pass in Threes: Toss a ball every third count.
FAQ
Q: Why is the 3 times table harder than 2s and 5s?
Because the pattern isn’t as obvious on fingers—using rhythm or music bridges that gap.
Q: What’s a catchy way to memorise 3s?
Clap or jump while chanting 3, 6, 9, 12—adding movement cements memory.
Q: How does the digit‑sum trick work?
Multiples of 3 always have digits that add to 3, 6, or 9, so it’s a quick self‑check.
Q: Where do we use the 3 times table in real life?
Triangles, traffic‑light colours, and third‑cup measures in recipes all rely on groups of three.
📄 Printable Resources
