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✖️ 3rd grade math · Multiply & Divide

Times table rules

Order does not matter: 6 × 7 = 7 × 6. 6 × 7 = 6 × 5 + 6 × 2 = 30 + 12.

Worked example

Find the missing number: 4 × 5 = 4 × 3 + 4 × ?
Answer: 2
Break 5 into 3 + 2. Then 4 × 5 = 4 × 3 + 4 × 2 (the distributive property). The missing number is 2. Answer: 2.

For grown-ups: Properties: commutative, associative, distributive. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 3.OA.B.5
What this practises, for teachers

Practices properties: commutative, associative, distributive (3.OA.B.5). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

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For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

More printables, with answer keys, for this grade:

Try three

  1. Find the missing number: 5 × 8 = 8 × ?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 5
    The order does not change a product (the commutative property): 5 × 8 = 8 × 5. The missing number is 5. Answer: 5.
  2. Which one is equal to 7 × 8?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 7 × 3 + 7 × 5
    Break 8 into 3 + 5. Then 7 × 8 = 7 × 3 + 7 × 5.
  3. Which one is equal to 8 × 8?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 8 × 6 + 8 × 2
    Break 8 into 6 + 2. Then 8 × 8 = 8 × 6 + 8 × 2.

Before and after

Learn first: Missing factor (3rd)

Comes next: Times tables to 10 (3rd), Times tens (3rd)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Times table rules (3rd grade)

  1. Find the missing number: 3 × 8 = 3 × 5 + 3 × ?
  2. Find the missing number: 9 × 9 = 9 × ?
  3. Find the missing number: 3 × 5 = 3 × 3 + 3 × ?
  4. Find the missing number: 5 × 7 = 7 × ?
  5. Find the missing number: 8 × 7 = 8 × 3 + 8 × ?
  6. Find the missing number: 6 × 9 = 9 × ?
  7. Find the missing number: 4 × 4 = 4 × 1 + 4 × ?
  8. Which one is equal to 7 × 8?
  9. Which one is equal to 4 × 7?
  10. Find the missing number: 4 × 7 = 4 × 3 + 4 × ?
  11. Find the missing number: 6 × 9 = 6 × 3 + 6 × ?
  12. Find the missing number: (4 × 4) × 3 = 4 × (4 × ?)

Answer key

  1. 3
  2. 9
  3. 2
  4. 5
  5. 4
  6. 6
  7. 3
  8. 7 × 5 + 7 × 3
  9. 4 × 2 + 4 × 5
  10. 4
  11. 6
  12. 3

More 3rd grade skills: all 3rd grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.