3, 4 and 8 times tables: what children learn
In Year 3, pupils in England learn to recall and use the multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 times tables. Together with the 2, 5 and 10 tables from Year 2, this covers six of the twelve tables children need to know by the end of Year 4.
The 2, 4 and 8 tables are closely linked by doubling, and the 3 table links to counting in threes and to finding thirds. The game is a 60-second sprint mixing multiplication and division facts, so children practise using each fact both ways round.
This topic covers the Year 3 statutory requirement in the National Curriculum in England (Number – multiplication and division): pupils should be taught to “recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 multiplication tables”. Year 3 pupils are usually aged 7–8.
For families following US standards, the closest Common Core standard is 3.OA.C.7, which is taught in Grade 3.
How to play
How many can you answer in 60 seconds? Type the answer and press Enter. Questions keep coming for 60 seconds. Type each answer and press Enter, or choose Skip. Answers can be typed with or without commas.
Step by step
- Double the 2 times table to get the 4 times table. 6 × 2 = 12, so 6 × 4 is double that: 24.
- Double again to get the 8 times table. 6 × 4 = 24, so 6 × 8 is double that: 48.
- Use known facts for the 3 times table. 3 × 7 is 2 × 7 plus one more 7: 14 + 7 = 21. Counting in 3s (3, 6, 9, 12…) also helps at first.
- Turn facts round for division. Because 7 × 8 = 56, we know 56 ÷ 8 = 7 and 56 ÷ 7 = 8.
Worked examples
Example 1: 7 × 4 = ?
Working: Double 7 is 14; double again is 28.
Answer: 28
Example 2: 9 × 8 = ?
Working: 9 × 4 = 36, so 9 × 8 is double 36.
Answer: 72
Example 3: 27 ÷ 3 = ?
Working: Which number times 3 makes 27? 9 × 3 = 27.
Answer: 9
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Confusing neighbouring facts, such as 7 × 8 = 54. Check with doubling: 7 × 2 = 14, 7 × 4 = 28, 7 × 8 = 56.
- Knowing facts only in order. Practise facts out of order, which is exactly what the sprint does.
- Forgetting the division facts. Ask the inverse straight after each multiplication: '4 × 6 is 24, so what is 24 ÷ 4?'
Activities to try at home
- Count legs: how many legs on 6 dogs (4 each) or 3 spiders (8 each)?
- Use a calendar to count in 3s or 4s and spot patterns.
- Play 'fizz buzz' with 3s and 4s: say 'fizz' for multiples of 3 and 'buzz' for multiples of 4.
Ideas for the classroom
- Build a doubling ladder on the wall: 2 table, 4 table, 8 table side by side.
- Solve scaling problems, such as 'a tree is 4 times as tall as a 3 m fence'.
- Use correspondence problems from the curriculum, such as '3 hats and 4 coats: how many different outfits?'
Printable worksheet
The printable worksheet uses the same question generator as the game, so it practises exactly the same skills. It comes with a separate answer sheet on the second page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser's print menu.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the 3, 4 and 8 tables taught together in Year 3?
The National Curriculum groups them because the 2, 4 and 8 tables are connected by doubling, and the 3 table supports later work on thirds.
How many facts go up to 12?
The game uses multipliers 1 to 12, so it includes facts such as 12 × 8 = 96.
What score should my child aim for?
The game gives stars for 5, 10 and 15 correct answers in 60 seconds. The aim is steady improvement, not speed alone.