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Ice Skating Maths

Ice Skating practice repetitions maths challenge

A child-friendly sports challenge using practice repetitions to practise multiplication with real examples.

Quick answer

You can use ice skating practice repetitions to learn multiplication by thinking of each skating loop or jump as a group of repeated actions. If you skate 5 loops and do 3 jumps in each loop, you’ve done 5 groups of 3 jumps, or 5 × 3 = 15 jumps.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use ice skating practice repetitions to solve multiplication problems by thinking of each repetition as equal groups. Success signs:
  • You can count how many times you repeat a skating move and how many times you do it each time.
  • You can write a multiplication sentence for your skating practice.
  • You can solve a multiplication problem using repeated addition or equal groups.
  • You can explain how your skating practice shows multiplication in real life.

Why this matters

Multiplication helps us count quickly when we have the same number of things in each group. Ice skating is a fun way to practice this because you do the same moves over and over. When you skate 5 loops and do 3 jumps in each loop, you’re multiplying 5 × 3 = 15 jumps. This skill helps you in school, in sports, and in everyday life when you need to count things quickly.

How it works

Multiplication is like making equal groups. If you do 4 jumps in each skating loop and you skate 6 loops, you have 6 groups of 4 jumps. You can add 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 24 jumps, or you can multiply 6 × 4 = 24 jumps. You can also use arrays, like drawing 6 rows with 4 jumps in each row.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re learning a new ice skating move. You practice it 3 times in each loop, and you skate 4 loops. How many times did you do the move?
  • Loop 1: 3 jumps
  • Loop 2: 3 jumps
  • Loop 3: 3 jumps
  • Loop 4: 3 jumps
You have 4 groups of 3 jumps. That’s 4 × 3 = 12 jumps. You can also draw an array:
Loop Jumps
1 3
2 3
3 3
4 3
That’s 4 rows with 3 jumps in each row. So 4 × 3 = 12 jumps.

Try it as a mini adventure

You are a young ice skater preparing for a competition. Your coach asks you to practice 5 different skating moves. Each move must be done 4 times in a row. How many total moves will you do? Step 1: You have 5 moves. Step 2: Each move is done 4 times. Step 3: You have 5 groups of 4 moves. Step 4: 5 × 4 = 20 moves. You can also write it as repeated addition: 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 20 moves. Try this challenge: If you skate 6 loops and do 3 spins in each loop, how many spins do you do? Answer: 6 × 3 = 18 spins.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 3 × 4 = 12 and 4 × 3 = 12, but forgetting that the order doesn’t change the answer. Why it happens: Children may think that 3 groups of 4 is different from 4 groups of 3. Fix: Show that 3 × 4 = 12 and 4 × 3 = 12 using arrays or equal groups.
  • Mistake: Counting the same move twice when adding repeated groups. Why it happens: Children may lose track of how many times they’ve done something. Fix: Use a counter or write down each group to help track.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 × anything = 0. Why it happens: Children may think that doing 0 groups of something means doing 1. Fix: Explain that 0 groups means no groups at all. So 0 × 5 = 0.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Playing ice skating games at home using toys or drawing on the floor.
  • Counting how many times your child does a move and helping them write a multiplication sentence.
  • Using a timer to make it fun and track how many loops or jumps they do.
  • Encouraging your child to draw arrays or use objects to show multiplication.
  • Practising skip counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 10s while skating or walking.
If your child gets confused, don’t worry! Multiplication takes time to learn. You can use real-life examples like counting pizza slices or blocks to help them understand. Always celebrate their effort, not just the right answer.

Practice questions

  1. If you skate 4 loops and do 5 jumps in each loop, how many jumps do you do in total?
  2. You do 3 spins in each loop and skate 6 loops. How many spins do you do?
  3. You practice 7 skating moves, and each move is done 2 times. How many moves in total?
  4. You skate 8 loops and do 3 spins in each loop. How many spins do you do?
  5. You do 5 jumps in each loop and skate 4 loops. How many jumps do you do?
Answers:
  1. 4 × 5 = 20 jumps
  2. 6 × 3 = 18 spins
  3. 7 × 2 = 14 moves
  4. 8 × 3 = 24 spins
  5. 5 × 4 = 20 jumps

FAQ

What is multiplication?

Multiplication is a way to add the same number many times quickly. For example, 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12, which is the same as 4 × 3 = 12.

How does ice skating help with multiplication?

Ice skating helps with multiplication because you do the same moves over and over. Each loop or repetition is a group of the same action. So, 5 loops with 3 jumps each = 5 × 3 = 15 jumps.

Can I use multiplication for other sports?

Yes! You can use multiplication for any sport where you repeat the same action. For example, running 4 laps and doing 5 push-ups each lap = 4 × 5 = 20 push-ups.

What if I forget a multiplication fact?

You can use repeated addition or draw an array to help you. For example, 6 × 4 = ? You can add 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 24.

How can I practice multiplication at home?

You can practice by counting objects, using arrays, drawing groups, or playing games. Try skip counting or using your fingers to help.