Which times tables first?

Twos, fives and tens, then fours by doubling the twos, then threes and sixes, then nines, and sevens and eights last. By the time the sevens come round, most of them are already known the other way.

Should division be learned separately?

No. Learn each multiplication fact with its division: 6 × 7 = 42, so 42 ÷ 7 = 6 and 42 ÷ 6 = 7. Three facts for the price of one.

Ages 8-9

Grade 3 math

Grade 3 is the times tables year. Multiplication and division facts to 10 × 10 are learned, and fractions become numbers in their own right.

What grade 3 usually covers

An ordinary elementary scope and sequence, the one the sets here follow. Schools differ by a few months either way.

Multiplication and division facts

Equal groups and arrays, then the tables themselves, to 10 × 10. Every multiplication fact is a division fact too: 7 × 8 = 56 means 56 ÷ 8 = 7.

Written adding and subtracting to 1,000

Fluent column methods, including subtracting across zeros, and rounding to the nearest ten or hundred to check an answer is sensible.

Fractions as numbers

A fraction is a point on a number line, not only a slice of pizza. Equivalent fractions, comparing fractions with the same top or the same bottom, and whole numbers as fractions.

Area and perimeter

Area by counting squares and then by multiplying the sides, which is where the times tables meet geometry. Perimeter by adding the sides.

Time, measuring and data

Time to the minute and lengths of time, mass and volume in grams, kilograms and litres, and scaled bar charts.

Practice for grade 3

The set below is on the grades 3–4 band with multiplying chosen. Ten questions a day on one table at a time, then mixed. The times tables page has a pattern for each table.

Work it out.

0 right

Ten questions at a time, marked as you go. Pick a skill above and start; nothing to sign up for, and the set works offline once the page has loaded.

Pages for this grade

Each has the method written out, worked examples, the facts worth knowing and ten practice questions with answers.

Grades 2–4Multiplication34 × 6Equal groups, arrays, and written multiplication. Grades 2–4Times tables7 × 8 = 56The chart to 12 × 12 and a pattern for each table. Grades 3–5Division852 ÷ 4Sharing and grouping, short division and remainders. Grades 3–5Fractions3/4 + 1/8Equivalent fractions, adding, comparing, and parts of amounts. Grades K–3Addition158 + 67Facts to 20, making ten, and column addition with carrying. Grades 1–3Subtraction400 − 163Fact families, counting up, and exchanging across zeros.

Common questions

Which times tables first?: Twos, fives and tens, then fours by doubling the twos, then threes and sixes, then nines, and sevens and eights last. By the time the sevens come round, most of them are already known the other way.
Should division be learned separately?: No. Learn each multiplication fact with its division: 6 × 7 = 42, so 42 ÷ 7 = 6 and 42 ÷ 6 = 7. Three facts for the price of one.

Other grades

Ages 5-6Kindergartencounting, numbers to 20, adding and taking away within 10. Ages 6-7Grade 1addition and subtraction within 20, tens and ones, comparing. Ages 7-8Grade 2facts to 20 by heart, hundreds, tens and ones, column addition and subtraction. Ages 9-10Grade 4place value to a million, multi-digit multiplication, division with remainders. Ages 10-11Grade 5decimals, fractions with different denominators, multiplication and division.