Skip Counting and Multiples
Grade 3 · Math · Study Guide
Learn to skip count by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 10s and understand what multiples are.
Skip counting means jumping ahead by the same amount each time instead of counting one by one. You already know how to skip count by 2s (2, 4, 6, 8...) and by 10s (10, 20, 30...). In 3rd grade, we practice skipping by 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, and more.
Skip counting and multiples are connected. The multiples of 3 are what you get when you skip count by 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30. A multiple of a number is the result of multiplying that number by any whole number. 3 × 1 = 3, 3 × 2 = 6, 3 × 3 = 9 — those are all multiples of 3.
Knowing multiples is basically knowing your multiplication tables! The multiples of 4 are: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40. You will notice patterns in multiples: all multiples of 5 end in 0 or 5. All multiples of 10 end in 0. All multiples of 2 are even.
Skip counting also helps you count large groups quickly. If pencils come in packs of 6, skip count by 6s to find the total in multiple packs: 6, 12, 18, 24...
| × | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
| 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 30 |
| 5 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 |
Key terms
- Skip counting
- Counting forward or backward by a number other than 1.
- Multiple
- A product of a number and any whole number. Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16...
- Even number
- A whole number divisible by 2. Ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.
- Odd number
- A whole number not divisible by 2. Ends in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.
- Common multiple
- A number that is a multiple of two different numbers. 12 is a multiple of both 3 and 4.
Flashcards
- Multiple
- What you get when you multiply a number by 1, 2, 3, 4...
- Multiples of 2
- 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12... (all even numbers)
- Multiples of 5
- 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... (all end in 0 or 5)
- Multiples of 10
- 10, 20, 30, 40, 50... (all end in 0)
- Multiples of 3
- 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30
- 5th multiple of 4
- 4 × 5 = 20
Practice questions
What is the 5th multiple of 4?
- 16
- 20
- 24
- 28
Show answer
Answer: 20
4×1=4, 4×2=8, 4×3=12, 4×4=16, 4×5=20. The 5th multiple is 20.
All multiples of 5 end in 0 or 5.
Show answer
Answer: True
Skip count by 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... every multiple ends in 0 or 5.
Skip counting by 3s: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___
Show answer
Answer: 15
Skip counting by 3: 12 + 3 = 15.
Which number is a multiple of 6?
- 26
- 34
- 42
- 50
Show answer
Answer: 42
42 ÷ 6 = 7 exactly. 42 is a multiple of 6 (6 × 7 = 42).
Skip counting by 4s from 20: 20, 24, 28, ___
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 34
Show answer
Answer: 32
Skip count by 4: 28 + 4 = 32.
Fun facts
- Multiples of 9 have a cool trick: the digits always add up to 9 (or a multiple of 9). 18: 1+8=9. 36: 3+6=9. 81: 8+1=9. Try it!
- Cicadas (a type of insect) emerge from underground every 13 or 17 years — both prime numbers! Scientists think this helps them avoid predators whose own life cycles are multiples of smaller numbers.
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