Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Dividing by 3 Worksheet for Year 3 (Free Printable)
- ForYear 3 (Free Printable)
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Dividing by 3 is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). It has 18 questions in three steps and a challenge question. Children practise dividing by 3 and use what they know about the 3 times table to find each answer.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages on A4. Give page 1 to the child and keep page 2, which has the notes and every answer, for the adult. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
The sheet has 18 numbered questions in three steps, followed by a challenge question. Children divide by 3 and write each answer in the space provided. The questions are short and focused, so children can concentrate on one idea: dividing by 3. They can use counters, drawings or their times table facts to work out each answer, then check their thinking with an adult.
Three ways to think about dividing by 3
Share equally
Imagine sharing a number of counters between 3 people, one at a time, until none are left. The number each person ends up with is the answer.
Make groups of 3
Put counters into groups of 3 and count how many groups you can make. This is the same division, seen another way.
Use the 3 times table
Ask yourself: 3 times what number gives me this number? Division is multiplication working backwards, so known facts help.
Why division by 3 matters in Year 3
Division has two meanings. One is sharing: a number of things is split into equal groups. The other is grouping: you find how many groups of a given size fit in. Both give the same answer when you divide by 3. Year 3 children meet both ideas, and seeing them side by side helps division make sense rather than feel like a list of facts to memorise.
The National Curriculum for England asks Year 3 children to recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 times tables. Division by 3 sits inside that strand. Children who know their 3 times table well can answer a division by 3 quickly, because every division fact is a multiplication fact turned around.
Skills and curriculum link
- Division by 3
- Times table facts
- Sharing equally
- Grouping
- Checking answers
- Explaining thinking
Ideas that help with dividing by 3
- Division undoes multiplicationIf you know that 3 groups of a number make a total, you can divide that total by 3 to get the number back. Multiplying and dividing are linked.
- Count in threesCounting forwards in threes, and using fingers to keep track, helps children see how many threes fit into a number.
- Fact familiesEach times table fact gives a family of related facts: two multiplications and two divisions. Learning them together makes recall quicker.
- Check by multiplyingAfter dividing, multiply the answer by 3. If you get back to the number you started with, the answer is right.
Key words
- DivideSplit a number into equal groups, or find how many equal groups fit.
- Share equallyGive the same amount to each group.
- GroupA set of things put together. Here, a group of 3.
- Multiple of 3A number you reach when you count in threes.
- InverseThe opposite operation. Division is the inverse of multiplication.
- DivisorThe number you divide by. On this sheet, it is 3.
How to use it
- Print both pages on A4. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and every answer.
- Read the first question together. Ask your child how they plan to work it out before they write anything.
- Let them choose their method: counters, a drawing, counting in threes or a times table fact. Talk about each choice.
- Check the answers with page 2. Ask, "How did you know?" The thinking matters as much as the answer.
- Come back to the sheet on another day. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence. Then try the challenge question.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use counters. Share them into groups of 3 and count the groups. Say the counting in threes out loud and use fingers to keep track. Start with the first few questions and come back to the rest another day.
To stretch confident children
Try the challenge question at the end. Then write three similar questions of your own and swap them with a friend to solve. Check each other's answers by multiplying back by 3.
Make it a game
Use counters. One player takes a small pile without counting. The other guesses whether it will share equally into groups of 3 with none left over. Then share it out to check. A correct guess scores a point.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child gives an answer bigger than the number they started with.
Try thisRemind them that dividing makes the number smaller. Check by multiplying the answer by 3. It should take you back to the start.
Watch forA child loses count when counting in threes.
Try thisUse fingers or a tally. Put a finger down for each three. Count in threes out loud and slowly.
Watch forA child counts the counters left over instead of the groups made.
Try thisAsk what the question is asking for. Count the groups of 3, not the counters. Point to each group as you count.
Talk about it
- How did you work out that answer?
- Can you show me with counters or a drawing?
- Which times table fact helped you here?
- How could you check that you are right?
- What is the same about sharing into 3 and making groups of 3?
- Which question felt easiest, and which felt hardest? Why?
Take it off the page
Snack sharing
Use raisins, pasta shapes or buttons. Share a pile into 3 equal groups and say how many are in each. Adults handle any real food or kitchen tasks.
Threes chant
Count in threes together while clapping or stepping. Go forwards, then try going backwards from a number in the 3 times table.
Make a fact family
Draw three counters in a row, then a few rows. Write the multiplication and division facts that match the picture.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first few questions, then let them lead. Short sessions work best. Praise effort and clear explanations, not only right answers. If they are stuck, bring out counters.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, plus the answers for quick marking.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan. Pair it with counting in threes on walks and sharing games at home. The sheet is free to print again for brothers and sisters, or for revision later.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children count in steps, learn the 2, 5 and 10 times tables, and share objects into equal groups. They also meet the idea that multiplying and dividing are linked.
After this sheet, children work on the 4 and 8 times tables and the division facts that go with them. In later years they divide with remainders and use written methods for larger numbers. Knowing the 3 times table well helps all of that.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Dividing by 3 for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Younger children may enjoy it with counters and help. Older children can use it as quick revision or practise with the challenge.
- What will children practise?
They practise dividing by 3 using times table facts and the idea of sharing equally. The questions are short and focused, so children can build speed and confidence with one skill.
- How many questions are there?
There are 18 questions in three steps, followed by a challenge question. Page 2 has all the answers for the adult, so you can check quickly and talk through any that were tricky.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use counters. Share them into groups of 3 and count the groups. Counting in threes out loud with fingers also helps. Try just the first few questions, then return to the rest another day.
- Which part of the curriculum does it support?
It supports the Year 3 maths strand on recalling and using multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 times tables. It is practice and supports classroom learning rather than replacing it.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, and black and white on plain A4 paper works well.
- Can teachers and home educators use it?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. Home educators and tutors can use it alone or as part of a wider maths plan.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.