What is Skip Counting by Sixes?

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Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

Skip counting by sixes means counting forward by adding 6 each time to the previous number. Instead of counting every single number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), you jump directly to numbers that are multiples of six (6, 12, 18, 24, and so on).

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have a stack of six-rupee coins. If you count the total money by saying 'six rupees, twelve rupees, eighteen rupees,' you are skip counting by sixes. Each time you add another six-rupee coin, your total increases by 6.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the next three numbers if we start at 10 and skip count by sixes.

STEP 1: Start with the given number, which is 10.

STEP 2: To find the first next number, add 6 to the starting number. 10 + 6 = 16.

STEP 3: To find the second next number, add 6 to the previous result. 16 + 6 = 22.

STEP 4: To find the third next number, add 6 to the last result. 22 + 6 = 28.

Answer: The next three numbers are 16, 22, and 28.

Why It Matters

Skip counting by sixes is a basic skill that builds a strong foundation for multiplication and understanding number patterns. It's super useful for quickly calculating things in daily life, like how many items you have if they come in packs of six. This skill is crucial for careers in logistics, accounting, and even game development where patterns and quick calculations are key.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Adding a different number instead of 6 each time. For example, counting 6, 12, 17, 23. | CORRECTION: Always make sure you are adding exactly 6 to the previous number to maintain the skip counting pattern.

MISTAKE: Starting the count from 1 and then adding 6 (e.g., 1, 7, 13...). | CORRECTION: When skip counting by sixes, you usually start with 6 itself, or add 6 to a given starting number. If no starting number is given, the sequence begins with 6.

MISTAKE: Confusing skip counting with simply listing multiples of six. | CORRECTION: While multiples of six (6, 12, 18...) are a form of skip counting by sixes starting from zero, skip counting can also start from any number (e.g., 2, 8, 14, 20...).

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Start at 5 and skip count by sixes for the next four numbers. | ANSWER: 5, 11, 17, 23, 29

QUESTION: A baker packs cookies in boxes of 6. If he has already packed 3 boxes, how many cookies will he have packed after packing 2 more boxes? (Use skip counting) | ANSWER: After 3 boxes, he has 18 cookies (6, 12, 18). After 2 more boxes, he will have 30 cookies (18 + 6 = 24, 24 + 6 = 30).

QUESTION: The numbers in a sequence are 4, 10, 16, 22... What is the 7th number in this sequence if it continues to skip count by sixes? | ANSWER: The sequence is 4, 10, 16, 22, 28 (5th), 34 (6th), 40 (7th). So, the 7th number is 40.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these sequences shows skip counting by sixes?

6, 12, 17, 23

5, 11, 17, 23

6, 10, 14, 18

6, 12, 18, 24

The Correct Answer Is:

Option D shows each number increasing by exactly 6 (6+6=12, 12+6=18, 18+6=24). The other options either add a different number or don't maintain a consistent 'plus six' pattern.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

In India, think about a factory that produces items like t-shirts or biscuits in batches of 6. To quickly know how many items are ready after several batches, the manager can skip count by sixes. Similarly, an auto-rickshaw driver might calculate total distance covered in 6 km segments, or a cricket scorer might tally runs in multiples of 6 (for sixes hit).

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

SKIP COUNTING: Counting by a number other than one. | MULTIPLE: The result of multiplying a number by an integer. | PATTERN: A repeated arrangement of numbers or objects. | SEQUENCE: An ordered list of numbers.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding skip counting by sixes! Now you're ready to explore skip counting by other numbers like sevens, eights, or nines. This will make you even faster at multiplication and help you spot more complex number patterns.