Solve Word Problems Using the 3, 4 and 8 Times Tables

In this activity, we will be solving problems by multiplying numbers by 3, 4 and 8. 

 

We need to read the question very carefully to work out what we need to do. 

 

 

Farmer Smith has 3 cows. 

How many legs do his cows have altogether?

 

In this question, we have to multiply by 4 because cows have 4 legs!

The farmer has 3 cows, so we need to use the multiplication fact 3 × 4 or 4 × 3.

 

3 lots of 4 is 12. 

So, Farmer Smith's cows have 12 legs in total.

 

Let's look at an example.

 

Example

Farmer Sarah has 5 pigs. 

How many legs do her pigs have in total?

 

Answer

We know that pigs have 4 legs. 

We know that Farmer Sarah has 5 pigs. 

5 × 4 = 20

 

Now you're ready to try some questions. Good luck!