3 times table division facts
Connect multiplication and division so children can use the 3 table to solve sharing and grouping questions.
Quick answer
When you know your 3 times table, you can use it to solve division problems like 12 ÷ 3 = 4 or 18 ÷ 3 = 6. Division is just sharing or grouping things equally, and the 3 times table helps you figure out how many groups or how many items are in each group.
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use your 3 times table to solve division problems and understand how multiplication and division are connected.
- You can solve division questions like 15 ÷ 3 = ? by thinking of the 3 times table.
- You can tell if a number can be shared equally into groups of 3.
- You can use division to find how many groups or how many items are in each group.
- You can explain how multiplication and division are linked.
Why this matters
Division helps you share things fairly, like splitting cookies between friends or dividing a pizza into slices. When you know your 3 times table, you can solve division problems quickly and easily. This is helpful in games, cooking, and everyday life. It also helps you understand how multiplication and division are connected, which makes maths easier and more fun!
How it works
Division is like sharing or grouping. If you have 12 items and want to share them equally into groups of 3, you are dividing: 12 ÷ 3 = 4. That means you can make 4 groups of 3 items each.
Think of it like this:
- Start with a number (like 12).
- Ask: “How many groups of 3 can I make?”
- Use your 3 times table to help: 3 x 4 = 12.
- So, 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
You can also think of it as "What number times 3 gives me 12?" The answer is 4, so 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
Examples you can see
Let’s look at how the 3 times table helps us solve division problems.
| Multiplication | Division |
|---|---|
| 3 x 1 = 3 | 3 ÷ 3 = 1 |
| 3 x 2 = 6 | 6 ÷ 3 = 2 |
| 3 x 3 = 9 | 9 ÷ 3 = 3 |
| 3 x 4 = 12 | 12 ÷ 3 = 4 |
| 3 x 5 = 15 | 15 ÷ 3 = 5 |
| 3 x 6 = 18 | 18 ÷ 3 = 6 |
| 3 x 7 = 21 | 21 ÷ 3 = 7 |
| 3 x 8 = 24 | 24 ÷ 3 = 8 |
| 3 x 9 = 27 | 27 ÷ 3 = 9 |
| 3 x 10 = 30 | 30 ÷ 3 = 10 |
| 3 x 11 = 33 | 33 ÷ 3 = 11 |
| 3 x 12 = 36 | 36 ÷ 3 = 12 |
Can you see the pattern? When you know your 3 times table, you can quickly find the answer to any division by 3!
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Magic Bakery!
You are a young baker in a magical bakery where cookies are made in groups of 3. The bakery needs to share 27 cookies equally among 3 customers. How many cookies does each customer get?
- Start with 27 cookies.
- Divide them into groups of 3.
- Use your 3 times table: 3 x 9 = 27.
- So, 27 ÷ 3 = 9.
- Each customer gets 9 cookies!
Now try another one:
- You have 18 apples.
- You want to make groups of 3 apples each.
- How many groups can you make?
- Use the 3 times table: 3 x 6 = 18.
- So, 18 ÷ 3 = 6.
- You can make 6 groups of apples.
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that 10 ÷ 3 = 3 with a remainder of 1.
Why it happens: Not knowing that 3 x 3 = 9, so 10 is not a multiple of 3.
Fix: Use the 3 times table to check: 3 x 3 = 9, 3 x 4 = 12. So 10 ÷ 3 = 3 remainder 1 is correct, but it’s not a whole number. If you're dividing to make equal groups, it’s okay to have a remainder. - Mistake: Forgetting that 0 ÷ 3 = 0.
Why it happens: Confusing division by zero or thinking it’s not possible.
Fix: Remember: any number divided by 3 gives 0 if there are no items to share. For example, if you have 0 cookies and want to share them into 3 groups, each group gets 0 cookies. So, 0 ÷ 3 = 0. - Mistake: Thinking 21 ÷ 3 = 6.
Why it happens: Mixing up the 3 times table.
Fix: Check with the 3 times table: 3 x 7 = 21. So, 21 ÷ 3 = 7.
Parent and carer guide
Helping your child learn 3 times table division is easy and fun! Here’s how:
- Use everyday examples: Ask your child to share 12 sweets into 3 bags. How many sweets go in each bag? This makes division real.
- Practice the 3 times table: Use flashcards, songs, or games to help your child learn 3 x 1 = 3, 3 x 2 = 6, and so on.
- Ask questions: “What is 15 divided by 3?” and wait for them to use their 3 times table to answer.
- Be patient: It’s okay if they don’t get it right away. Encourage them to try again and explain their thinking.
- Make it fun: Play games like “Division Race” where you ask quick questions and give points for correct answers.
Remember, your child is learning how multiplication and division are connected. This helps them build strong maths skills for the future!
Practice questions
- What is 9 ÷ 3?
Answer: 3 - What is 12 ÷ 3?
Answer: 4 - What is 24 ÷ 3?
Answer: 8 - What is 30 ÷ 3?
Answer: 10 - What is 0 ÷ 3?
Answer: 0 - What is 33 ÷ 3?
Answer: 11 - What is 36 ÷ 3?
Answer: 12 - What is 18 ÷ 3?
Answer: 6 - What is 21 ÷ 3?
Answer: 7 - What is 15 ÷ 3?
Answer: 5
FAQ
What is 3 times table division?
It’s using the 3 times table to solve division problems. For example, if you know that 3 x 4 = 12, then you also know that 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
Why is it helpful to know the 3 times table for division?
It helps you solve division problems faster and more easily. You can quickly figure out how many groups you can make or how many items are in each group.
What happens when I divide by 3 and there’s a remainder?
If the number is not a multiple of 3, you will have a remainder. For example, 10 ÷ 3 = 3 remainder 1.
How can I practice 3 times table division?
You can use flashcards, play games, solve real-life sharing problems, or use the 3 times table to check your answers to division questions.
Can I use 3 times table division for big numbers?
Yes! Once you know the 3 times table, you can divide any number by 3. For example, 42 ÷ 3 = 14 because 3 x 14 = 42.