Using times tables to divide
In 3rd grade, children learn to treat division as a missing-factor question, solving 32 ÷ 8 by asking what number times 8 makes 32.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
Try these with your child
These are real questions from our 3rd grade 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
If you know that 6 × 4 = 24, what is the answer to 24 ÷ 6?
- 24
- 4
- 6
Why this matters
Once your child sees division as a hidden multiplication fact, every times table they know becomes a set of division facts too. It also gives them a quick way to check an answer: if 32 ÷ 8 = 4, then 4 x 8 should make 32. That back-and-forth is used all the way through long division in 4th and 5th grade, work with fractions, and solving equations later on.
Where kids can get stuck
- Counting down one at a time from the larger number instead of thinking of a times fact, which is slow and error-prone.
- Recalling the wrong fact, such as answering 42 ÷ 6 with 6, without checking that 6 x 6 is 36.
- Writing a fact family with numbers in the wrong spots, such as 4 ÷ 32 = 8.
How you can help
- Ask division questions as times questions on a walk, such as "What times 6 makes 30?" and then say the division fact together: 30 ÷ 6 = 5.
- Give your child three numbers like 3, 7, and 21 and ask them to say all four facts in the family out loud while you set the table.
- When your child answers a division fact, ask them to prove it with multiplication, so 27 ÷ 3 = 9 gets checked by saying 9 x 3 = 27.
Want a little more? Try Bobby's Math Club for free practice that adapts to your child.
Questions parents ask
Why is my child solving division by thinking of multiplication?
Multiplication and division are two views of the same fact. If your child knows 7 x 6 = 42, they also know 42 ÷ 6 = 7. Teaching division this way means your child builds on facts they already have instead of memorizing a whole new list. It also gives them a quick way to check any division answer.
What is a fact family?
A fact family is a group of related math facts that use the same three numbers. For 5, 9, and 45, the family is 5 x 9 = 45, 9 x 5 = 45, 45 ÷ 9 = 5, and 45 ÷ 5 = 9. Seeing them together helps your child understand that multiplication and division are connected and that knowing one fact unlocks the others.
Should my child learn division facts before multiplication facts are solid?
It usually works best the other way around. Division facts come much faster once multiplication facts are fairly secure, because each division fact is a multiplication fact read backward. If division is a struggle, a little extra practice with the matching multiplication facts often solves it without any separate division drilling.
Make learning math fun
Bobby's Math Club turns 3rd grade math practice into something fun to do together.
- Free, unlimited practice for every child in your family
- Questions matched to your child’s level, a few minutes a day
- Hints when they are stuck, and a celebration when it clicks
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.
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Join the clubNote for teachers: This skill is covered by Common Core math standard 3.OA.B.6: “Understand division as an unknown-factor problem. For example, find 32 ÷ 8 by finding the number that makes 32 when multiplied by 8.” Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow. (Common Core 3.OA.6)