Skateboarding Maths
Skateboarding practice repetitions maths challenge
A child-friendly sports challenge using practice repetitions to practise multiplication with real examples.
Quick answer
You can use multiplication to work out how many times you’ve done a skateboarding trick by counting how many times you do it and how many sets you do.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to multiply the number of times you do a skateboarding trick by the number of sets you do to find the total number of repetitions. Success signs:- You can count how many times you do a trick in one set
- You can count how many sets you do
- You can multiply these two numbers to find the total
- You can use this to track your progress in skateboarding
Why this matters
Multiplication helps you understand how many times you’ve done a trick in skateboarding, so you can track your improvement. It’s useful for planning how many tricks to do, and helps you set goals. Whether you’re learning a new trick or trying to beat your own record, multiplication makes it easy to see your progress.How it works
Multiplication is like adding the same number over and over. If you do 5 flips in one set, and you do 3 sets, you can multiply 5 by 3 to find out how many flips you’ve done in total.Step-by-step guide
- Decide how many times you do a trick in one set
- Decide how many sets you do
- Multiply these two numbers to get the total repetitions
Examples you can see
Let’s imagine you are learning how to do a kickflip. Here are some examples:Example 1: 3 kickflips in 4 sets
- One set = 3 kickflips
- 4 sets = 3 × 4 = 12 kickflips
Example 2: 5 ollies in 2 sets
- One set = 5 ollies
- 2 sets = 5 × 2 = 10 ollies
Example 3: 6 manuals in 3 sets
- One set = 6 manuals
- 3 sets = 6 × 3 = 18 manuals
Example 4: 2 kickflips in 5 sets
- One set = 2 kickflips
- 5 sets = 2 × 5 = 10 kickflips
Try it as a mini adventure
Skateboarding Challenge: The Trick Tracker
You are a young skateboarder who wants to track your progress. You decide to do a new trick every day for a week.Day 1: 4 kickflips in 3 sets
- One set = 4 kickflips
- 3 sets = 4 × 3 = 12 kickflips
Day 2: 5 ollies in 2 sets
- One set = 5 ollies
- 2 sets = 5 × 2 = 10 ollies
Day 3: 6 manuals in 1 set
- One set = 6 manuals
- 1 set = 6 × 1 = 6 manuals
Day 4: 3 kickflips in 4 sets
- One set = 3 kickflips
- 4 sets = 3 × 4 = 12 kickflips
Day 5: 2 ollies in 5 sets
- One set = 2 ollies
- 5 sets = 2 × 5 = 10 ollies
Day 6: 7 manuals in 2 sets
- One set = 7 manuals
- 2 sets = 7 × 2 = 14 manuals
Day 7: 1 kickflip in 6 sets
- One set = 1 kickflip
- 6 sets = 1 × 6 = 6 kickflips
Total trick repetitions for the week:
- Kickflips: 12 + 12 + 6 = 30
- Ollies: 10 + 10 = 20
- Manuals: 6 + 14 = 20
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Counting each trick in every set instead of multiplying
- Why it happens: Children may not yet understand that multiplication is repeated addition
- Fix: Use arrays or drawings to show equal groups
- Mistake: Confusing which number is the number of sets and which is the number of tricks
- Why it happens: Children might mix up the order of numbers in a multiplication problem
- Fix: Use clear language like “tricks per set” and “number of sets”
- Mistake: Forgetting to add the totals for different tricks
- Why it happens: Children may focus on one trick and forget others
- Fix: Make a list or table to track each trick separately
Parent and carer guide
How to help at home
- Ask your child to choose a trick and how many sets they will do
- Encourage them to draw or count the tricks to check their multiplication
- Help them make a simple chart to track their progress
- Ask them to explain how they worked out the total repetitions
- Use this as a fun way to practice multiplication facts
What to watch for
- Does your child understand that multiplication is repeated addition?
- Are they able to identify the number of tricks and the number of sets?
- Do they need help with writing or reading the multiplication facts?
What not to worry about
- It’s normal for children to make mistakes at first
- They will get better with practice
- Focus on effort, not just the correct answer
Practice questions
- How many kickflips are done if you do 4 kickflips in 3 sets?
- How many ollies are done if you do 5 ollies in 2 sets?
- How many manuals are done if you do 6 manuals in 1 set?
- How many kickflips are done if you do 2 kickflips in 5 sets?
- How many ollies are done if you do 3 ollies in 4 sets?
Answers
- 4 × 3 = 12 kickflips
- 5 × 2 = 10 ollies
- 6 × 1 = 6 manuals
- 2 × 5 = 10 kickflips
- 3 × 4 = 12 ollies
FAQ
What is a repetition in skateboarding?
A repetition is one time you do a trick. If you do 3 kickflips in one set, that’s 3 repetitions.
Why is multiplication useful for skateboarding?
Multiplication helps you quickly work out how many tricks you’ve done in total, so you can track your progress and set goals.
How can I make this more fun?
You can make a chart or a sticker book to track your tricks, or play a game where you earn points for each trick you do.
Can I use this for other sports?
Yes! You can use multiplication to track any repeated activity in any sport or hobby.
What if I don’t know my multiplication facts?
You can use arrays, repeated addition, or skip counting to help you work out the answer.