What is 3 × 8?

S1-SA1-0674

Grade Level:

Class 2

Maths, Computing, AI

Definition

What is it?

3 × 8 means adding the number 8 three times, or adding the number 3 eight times. It is a basic multiplication problem that helps you find the total when you have groups of the same size.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have 3 friends, and each friend eats 8 ladoos during a festival. To find out the total number of ladoos eaten, you would calculate 3 × 8. This tells you how many ladoos were eaten in total.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the answer to 3 × 8:
1. We can think of this as adding 8 three times.
2. So, we start with 8.
3. Add 8 to it: 8 + 8 = 16.
4. Add 8 again to the result: 16 + 8 = 24.
5. Alternatively, we can think of it as adding 3 eight times.
6. 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 24.
7. Both methods give the same answer.
--- The answer is 24.

Why It Matters

Understanding basic multiplication like 3 × 8 is crucial for everyday calculations and advanced studies. In computing, it's fundamental for algorithms, and in AI, it's used in calculations for machine learning models. Engineers, data scientists, and even game developers use multiplication constantly.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Adding 3 and 8 to get 11. | CORRECTION: Multiplication is not addition. It's repeated addition. You need to add 8 three times (or 3 eight times).

MISTAKE: Confusing the order, thinking 3 × 8 is different from 8 × 3. | CORRECTION: The 'commutative property' of multiplication means 3 × 8 gives the same result as 8 × 3. The order doesn't change the answer.

MISTAKE: Forgetting multiplication facts and trying to count on fingers every time. | CORRECTION: Practice your multiplication tables ( पहाड़े ) regularly. Knowing them by heart makes calculations much faster and easier.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: A auto-rickshaw charges ₹8 for every kilometer. How much will it cost for a 3-kilometer ride? | ANSWER: ₹24

QUESTION: If you have 3 boxes, and each box contains 8 mangoes, how many mangoes do you have in total? | ANSWER: 24 mangoes

QUESTION: Priya gets 3 stickers for every 8 correct answers in her math homework. If she gave 8 correct answers, how many stickers did she get? | ANSWER: 3 stickers

MCQ

Quick Quiz

What is the product of 3 and 8?

The Correct Answer Is:

The product of 3 and 8 means 3 multiplied by 8, which is 24. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they represent addition, a different multiplication, or incorrect digits.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you buy 3 packets of biscuits, and each packet costs ₹8, you quickly calculate 3 × 8 = ₹24 to know the total bill. Similarly, a shopkeeper uses this to calculate prices, or a cricket scorer calculates runs if a player hits 3 fours (3 × 4 = 12 runs).

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

MULTIPLICATION: A way to find the total when you combine equal groups | PRODUCT: The result of multiplication | TIMES: Another word for multiply, as in '3 times 8' | FACTOR: The numbers being multiplied together (3 and 8 are factors here)

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding 3 × 8! Next, you should explore other basic multiplication facts, like 4 × 7 or 6 × 9. This will build your foundation for larger multiplications and divisions, which are essential for all higher math.