What is Multiplying by Three?

S0-SA1-0737

Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

Multiplying by three means adding a number to itself three times. It's a quick way to find the total when you have three equal groups or want to increase something by three times its original value. Think of it as '3 times' a number.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you get 2 lollipops every day. If you want to know how many lollipops you'll have in 3 days, you'd multiply 2 by 3. This means you'll have 2 + 2 + 2 = 6 lollipops in total.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say your favourite samosa costs 10 rupees. You want to buy 3 samosas. How much money do you need?

1. Identify the number you are multiplying: The cost of one samosa is 10 rupees.
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2. Identify how many times you are multiplying: You want to buy 3 samosas, so you multiply by 3.
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3. Set up the multiplication: This can be written as 10 x 3.
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4. Perform the multiplication (by repeated addition or using multiplication facts): 10 + 10 + 10 = 30.
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5. State the answer: You need 30 rupees to buy 3 samosas.

Why It Matters

Understanding multiplication by three is a basic building block for all higher mathematics. It helps in fields like finance (calculating 3-month expenses), engineering (scaling designs), and even cooking (tripling a recipe). It's a fundamental skill for problem-solving in daily life and many exciting careers.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Adding 3 to the number instead of multiplying by 3. For example, for 5 x 3, students might calculate 5 + 3 = 8. | CORRECTION: Remember that 'multiplying by three' means adding the original number to itself three times (5 + 5 + 5 = 15), not adding 3 to it.

MISTAKE: Confusing multiplication by 3 with division by 3. For example, for 12 x 3, a student might think of 12 / 3 = 4. | CORRECTION: Multiplication makes numbers larger (when multiplying by numbers greater than 1), while division makes them smaller. Always double-check if you're increasing or decreasing the quantity.

MISTAKE: Incorrectly recalling multiplication facts for 3. For example, saying 3 x 7 = 20 instead of 21. | CORRECTION: Practice your multiplication tables for the number 3 regularly. You can use flashcards or online games to help memorise them.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: A auto-rickshaw charges Rs. 5 for every kilometer. How much will it charge for a 3-kilometer ride? | ANSWER: Rs. 15

QUESTION: Your mobile phone battery drains 8% every hour. How much battery will be drained in 3 hours? | ANSWER: 24%

QUESTION: If a cricket team scores 6 runs in an over, and they score this many runs for 3 consecutive overs, what is their total score from these 3 overs? | ANSWER: 18 runs

MCQ

Quick Quiz

What is the result of 7 multiplied by 3?

The Correct Answer Is:

Multiplying 7 by 3 means adding 7 three times (7 + 7 + 7), which equals 21. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they represent addition, subtraction, or incorrect multiplication.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you buy three identical items at a market, like three packets of biscuits, the shopkeeper quickly multiplies the price of one packet by three to tell you the total. Similarly, in a game like Ludo, if you roll a '3' on the dice, you move your piece three steps forward, which is a simple application of counting in threes.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

MULTIPLY: To combine equal groups to find a total, often indicated by 'x' or 'times'. | PRODUCT: The answer you get when you multiply two or more numbers. | REPEATED ADDITION: Adding the same number multiple times, which is what multiplication is a shortcut for. | TIMES: Another word for 'multiply by'.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand multiplying by three, you're ready to explore multiplying by other numbers like four and five. This will strengthen your multiplication skills and help you solve even bigger problems quickly and easily!