What is the Sequence of Multiples of 3?

S1-SA5-1019

Grade Level:

Class 3

Maths, Computing, AI

Definition

What is it?

The sequence of multiples of 3 is a list of numbers you get when you multiply 3 by other whole numbers (like 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on). It's like counting by 3s, starting from 3 itself.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you are buying ladoos, and each ladoo costs 3 rupees. If you buy 1 ladoo, you pay 3 rupees. If you buy 2 ladoos, you pay 6 rupees. If you buy 3 ladoos, you pay 9 rupees. The amounts 3, 6, 9 are the first few multiples of 3.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the first five multiples of 3.

Step 1: Start with the number 3.

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Step 2: Multiply 3 by 1 to get the first multiple.
3 x 1 = 3

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Step 3: Multiply 3 by 2 to get the second multiple.
3 x 2 = 6

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Step 4: Multiply 3 by 3 to get the third multiple.
3 x 3 = 9

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Step 5: Multiply 3 by 4 to get the fourth multiple.
3 x 4 = 12

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Step 6: Multiply 3 by 5 to get the fifth multiple.
3 x 5 = 15

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Answer: The first five multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15.

Why It Matters

Understanding multiples is fundamental to Maths, Computing, and even AI. In computing, it helps with programming loops and data structures. Careers in software development, data science, and financial analysis often use these basic number pattern skills.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Forgetting to include 3 itself as the first multiple. | CORRECTION: Remember that the first multiple of any number is the number multiplied by 1.

MISTAKE: Confusing multiples with factors. | CORRECTION: Multiples are what you get when you multiply a number (like 3, 6, 9...). Factors are numbers that divide evenly into another number (like 1, 2, 3, 6 are factors of 6).

MISTAKE: Adding instead of multiplying to find the next multiple. | CORRECTION: To find the next multiple, you can add the original number (3) to the previous multiple, or simply multiply the original number by the next whole number in sequence.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: What is the 7th multiple of 3? | ANSWER: 21

QUESTION: Is 45 a multiple of 3? Explain why or why not. | ANSWER: Yes, 45 is a multiple of 3 because 3 x 15 = 45.

QUESTION: A bus stops at every 3rd stop on its route. If the first stop is 3 km from the starting point, how far will the bus be from the starting point after 5 stops? | ANSWER: 15 km

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these numbers is NOT a multiple of 3?

The Correct Answer Is:

12 (3x4), 21 (3x7), and 30 (3x10) are all multiples of 3. 25 cannot be divided evenly by 3, so it is not a multiple of 3.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

Understanding multiples helps in daily life, like when you're calculating how many snacks you need for a group of friends if each person gets 3, or when planning a train journey where trains arrive every 3 hours. Even payment apps like UPI use mathematical patterns for transaction IDs.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

MULTIPLE: The result of multiplying a number by an integer | SEQUENCE: A set of numbers arranged in a particular order | WHOLE NUMBER: A number without fractions or decimals (0, 1, 2, 3...) | PRODUCT: The result of multiplication

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding multiples of 3! Next, you can explore 'What is the Sequence of Multiples of 4?' This will help you see how the same pattern applies to other numbers and strengthen your multiplication skills.