Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Multiplying Three Numbers: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 5
- ForYear 5
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Multiplying Three Numbers is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10). Children multiply three numbers by looking for a pair that makes the sum easier, then multiplying by the last number. It takes about 10 minutes, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and the answers.
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, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children work through numbered multiplication questions, each with three numbers, such as 2 x 5 x 7. There is space beside each one for working and an answer. The key idea is to look at all three numbers before starting. Children choose the pair that feels easiest to multiply, work that out, then multiply by the number left. They try to do the sums in their heads and use the lines only when they need them.
- 2 x 5 x 7 =
- 4 x 5 x 3 =
- 5 x 9 x 2 =
- 25 x 4 x 3 =
- 8 x 5 x 2 =
- 4 x 25 x 2 =
- 3 x 10 x 7 =
- 5 x 6 x 4 =
A worked example
20 x 5 x 11
This is a different question from the ones on the sheet. It shows that the order you choose can change how hard the sum feels, but not the answer.
Method 1: pick the friendly pair first- Look at all three numbers: 20, 5 and 11.
- Multiply 20 x 5 first. Five twenties make 100.
- Now multiply 100 x 11. Eleven hundreds make 1100.
- Multiply 11 x 20 first. Eleven twos make 22, so eleven twenties make 220.
- Now multiply 220 x 5. Five two hundreds make 1000 and five twenties make 100, so 1000 + 100 = 1100.
- Both orders give the same answer, but this one took more steps.
Why does the order not matter?
When you multiply three numbers, you can multiply them in any order and the answer stays the same. Mathematicians call this the commutative and associative idea, but children only need to know that the product does not change. This is what lets them swap numbers around and group them in a way that suits them.
Spotting a friendly pair is a mental maths habit. Some pairs of numbers give a round answer that is easy to multiply on from. Children who look before they start tend to make fewer slips. They also learn that maths is about choices, and that a neat method can save effort.
Skills and curriculum link
- Multiplying three numbers
- Number facts
- Mental maths
- Choosing a method
- Checking answers
Ideas that help with this sheet
- Order does not matterThree numbers can be multiplied in any order. The answer is always the same, so children are free to choose the order they find easiest.
- Round numbers are friendlyMultiplying by 10 or 100 is quick because digits move place. Pairs that give a round number are worth looking for first.
- Known facts firstTimes table facts that children already know well make the best starting pair. Use those, then deal with the last number.
- Estimate and checkRound the numbers to get a rough idea of the size of the answer. If the final answer is far from the estimate, check the working again.
Key words
- MultiplyFind the total when you have equal groups. 3 x 4 means three groups of four.
- ProductThe answer you get when you multiply.
- FactorA number that you multiply with another number.
- PairTwo of the three numbers that you choose to multiply first.
- Mental mathsWorking something out in your head, with few or no written steps.
- EstimateA sensible rough answer that helps you check your work.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Give your child a pencil. Ask them to try the sums in their head and use the lines for working. It takes about 10 minutes.
- Work through the first question together. Ask which two numbers look easiest to multiply and why.
- Let your child try the rest, then check against the answers on page 2. Ask, "Which pair did you pick?"
- Come back another day and redo any that felt tricky. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Ask your child to write down the pair they will multiply first, then multiply that answer by the last number. Cover the other questions so only one shows at a time. Let them use times table facts they know well, and say each step aloud.
To stretch confident children
Make up three questions that equal 120, using different numbers each time. Swap with a friend to solve each other's. Then try one with a 10 in it and explain why that makes the sum easier to work out.
Make it a game
Roll a dice three times and multiply the three numbers. Play 5 rounds and see who scores highest. Before each multiplication, say which pair you will do first and why. Keep a running total on paper.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child adds the three numbers instead of multiplying them.
Try thisPoint to the x signs. Read the question aloud as "groups of". Try a small one such as 2 x 3 x 2 with counters to see the groups.
Watch forA child multiplies the first two numbers every time, even when the sum gets hard.
Try thisAsk them to look at all three numbers first. Try swapping the order and see whether another pair feels easier.
Watch forA child loses a zero, for example writing 12 for 30 x 4.
Try thisSay it as tens: three tens times four is twelve tens. Draw tens as sticks to show that twelve tens make 120.
Talk about it
- Which two numbers did you pick first? Why?
- Could you have picked a different pair? Would the answer change?
- How did you know your answer was about the right size?
- Which question was your favourite, and why?
- Can you make up a question where the pair is easy to spot?
- What would you tell a friend who found this tricky?
Take it off the page
Shopping basket
Imagine buying packs of items, with the same number of items in each pack and the same price for each. Work out the total using three numbers, choosing the friendliest pair.
Counter arrays
Lay out counters in rows and columns to show two numbers. Then make that block again several times and multiply to find how many counters there are altogether.
Times table hunt
Write down all the times table facts you know that give a round answer. Keep the list handy to spot useful pairs next time.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first question, then let them lead. About 10 minutes is plenty. If they get stuck, ask which pair looks friendliest and let them explain their choice.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or homework. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 has help and a stretch idea for mixed ability groups, plus the answers for quick marking.
Home educators
Print it alongside other maths practice and talk through the method aloud. It can be reused for brothers and sisters or as revision a few weeks later. Let your child explain their choices as you go.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children learn their times tables and multiply two numbers, including by 10 and 100. They also meet the idea that multiplication can be done in any order. Secure recall of times table facts makes spotting a friendly pair much easier.
After this sheet, children can move on to multiplying larger numbers with written methods, and to working with factors and multiples. The habit of looking for an easy route first stays useful, and helps with checking answers and estimating.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Multiplying Three Numbers for?
It is written for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2. Confident Year 4 children may enjoy it, and the help idea on page 2 can support children who need a gentler start.
- What will children practise?
They practise multiplying three numbers by spotting a pair that makes the sum easier. They also build number fact recall and mental maths, and learn to explain which pair they chose and why.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages, give page 1 to your child with a pencil and keep page 2. Children try the sums in their head and use the lines for working. It takes about 10 minutes.
- What if it feels too hard?
Ask your child to write down the pair they will multiply first, then multiply that answer by the last number. Cover the other questions so only one shows at a time, and praise their thinking.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision later on. Black and white printing on plain A4 paper works well.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 10 minutes. Page 2 contains notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea and the answers, so you can check work as soon as your child finishes.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper and a pencil. It works well for quiet time after school, rainy days, school holidays or a calm moment before bed.
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.