Everyday Mathematics Grade 3, Unit 3: Operations
In this unit, your child builds fact power: knowing multiplication facts and finding missing numbers in equations like 7 x ? = 56. Children learn shortcuts such as turning a fact around and breaking a hard fact into easier ones. It grows from the arrays and number stories of the last unit and leads into measurement and geometry, where these facts help find area.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 3?
- Finding a missing factor, a number being multiplied, in equations such as 6 x ? = 42 or ? ÷ 4 = 9. Learn more: Finding the missing number, like 7 x ? = 56
- Using properties to make facts easier, like knowing 3 x 8 from 8 x 3, or splitting 6 x 7 into 6 x 5 and 6 x 2. Learn more: Shortcuts that make times tables easier
- Practicing multiplication and division facts within 100 until they come quickly, and using related facts to check answers. Learn more about knowing the times tables by heart: Knowing the times tables by heart · Learn more about dividing within 100
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
What is the missing number? ? × 2 = 18
- 16
- 9
- 36
How you can help
- Play a quick fact game on a walk or ride: say a product, such as 24, and take turns naming facts that make it, like 3 x 8 or 4 x 6.
- Turn a fact around at dinner: if your child knows 2 x 9 = 18, ask what 9 x 2 is, and talk about why the answer stays the same.
- Break apart a tricky fact together, such as 7 x 8 as 7 x 5 plus 7 x 3, then add 35 and 21 to see that both ways give 56.
Where kids can get stuck
- Multiplying the two numbers shown, so 7 x ? = 56 gets an answer of 392 instead of 8.
- Breaking a fact apart but multiplying only one piece, so 4 x 7 becomes 4 x 5 + 2, giving 22 instead of 28.
- Mixing up facts that sound alike, such as saying 6 x 8 is 42 when it is 48.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- factor
- A number being multiplied, like 3 and 4 in 3 x 4 = 12.
- product
- The answer to a multiplication problem.
- unknown
- The missing number in a problem, shown by a box, a question mark, or a letter.
- fact family
- Related multiplication and division facts made from the same three numbers.
- commutative property
- Changing the order of factors does not change the product: 3 x 5 = 5 x 3.
- distributive property
- Splitting a factor into parts, multiplying each, then adding: 7 x 6 is 5 x 6 plus 2 x 6.
- break apart
- Splitting a number into smaller parts to make a fact easier.
- fluently
- Quickly and accurately, without needing to count.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with multiplication facts?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Everyday Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 3 cover?
Everyday Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 3 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.