Skip Counting by 3
Skip counting by 3 means counting forward by jumping 3 numbers each time. Instead of counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ..., we count 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 ...
Skip counting by 3 is a quick way to count groups of 3 things. It also helps you learn the multiplication table of 3.
What is Skip Counting by 3 - Class 2 Maths (Numbers up to 200)?
Skip counting by 3 means starting at 3 and adding 3 every time to get the next number.
3 — 6 — 9 — 12 — 15 — 18 — 21 — 24 — 27 — 30
Each number is 3 more than the one before it.
Types and Properties
Skip counting by 3 can start from different numbers:
- Starting from 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30
- Starting from 30: 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48 ...
- Backward skip counting by 3: 30, 27, 24, 21, 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, 3
Solved Examples
Example 1: Count by 3s from 3 to 30
Question: Write the numbers when you skip count by 3 from 3 to 30.
Think: Start at 3 and keep adding 3:
3 → 6 → 9 → 12 → 15 → 18 → 21 → 24 → 27 → 30
Answer: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30
Example 2: Find the Missing Number
Question: Fill in the blank: 9, 12, ___, 18, 21
Think:
- We are counting by 3s
- 12 + 3 = 15
Answer: The missing number is 15.
Example 3: Word Problem — Triangle Corners
Question: A triangle has 3 corners. Aman draws 5 triangles. How many corners in all?
Think:
- Skip count by 3 five times: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15
Answer: There are 15 corners in all.
Example 4: Backward Skip Counting
Question: Skip count backward by 3 from 24 to 6.
Think: Start at 24 and take away 3 each time:
24 → 21 → 18 → 15 → 12 → 9 → 6
Answer: 24, 21, 18, 15, 12, 9, 6
Example 5: Word Problem — Packing Mangoes
Question: Priya packs 3 mangoes in each box. She has 8 boxes. How many mangoes did she pack?
Think:
- Count by 3s eight times: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24
Answer: Priya packed 24 mangoes.
Example 6: What Comes Next?
Question: What are the next 3 numbers? 33, 36, 39, ___
Think:
- Each number is 3 more than the last
- 39 + 3 = 42
- 42 + 3 = 45
- 45 + 3 = 48
Answer: 42, 45, 48
Example 7: Number Line Jumps
Question: Show 4 jumps of 3 on a number line starting from 0.
0 —(+3)→ 3 —(+3)→ 6 —(+3)→ 9 —(+3)→ 12
Answer: After 4 jumps of 3, we reach 12.
Key Points to Remember
- Skip counting by 3 means adding 3 each time.
- The pattern is: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 ...
- Skip counting by 3 helps you learn the table of 3.
- You can also skip count backward by 3 (subtract 3 each time).
- Counting groups of 3 objects uses skip counting by 3.
Practice Problems
- Skip count by 3 from 3 to 36.
- Fill in the blanks: 15, ___, 21, ___, 27
- Meera has 6 plates. Each plate has 3 idlis. How many idlis in all?
- Skip count backward by 3 from 30 to 3.
- What number comes after 45 when skip counting by 3?
- A triangle has 3 sides. Rahul draws 9 triangles. How many sides in total?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is skip counting by 3?
Skip counting by 3 means starting at 3 and adding 3 each time. The numbers are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and so on.
Q2. How is skip counting by 3 helpful?
It helps you count groups of 3 quickly, learn the multiplication table of 3, and solve word problems faster.
Q3. Can I skip count by 3 starting from any number?
Yes. You can start from any number and add 3 each time. For example, starting from 1: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13 ...
Q4. What is backward skip counting by 3?
It means subtracting 3 each time. Starting from 30: 30, 27, 24, 21, 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, 3.
Q5. How is skip counting by 3 connected to multiplication?
The 5th number in skip counting by 3 is 15, which is 3 × 5. The 8th number is 24, which is 3 × 8. Skip counting gives the answers to the table of 3.
Q6. Is 25 in the skip counting by 3 pattern?
No. The numbers near 25 are 24 (3 × 8) and 27 (3 × 9). 25 is not a multiple of 3.
