L3 · Skip-counting sequences and the multiplication table; finding a missing term

Learning goal

“I can read skip-counting sequences - including the rows of the multiplication table - and I can find any missing term by using multiplication: the nth term of counting by k is n × k.”

Skip counting — counting by the same jump each time, like counting by 4s: 4, 8, 12, 16.

Multiplication table — a chart of multiplication facts in rows and columns. Each row is a skip-counting sequence: the 6-row is counting by 6s.

Missing term — a term that is left blank in a sequence and must be found, like the ___ in 5, 10, ___, 20.

Multiple — a number you land on when you skip count. The multiples of 5 are 5, 10, 15, 20, …

Worked example

Read the 6-row of the multiplication table: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36. Step 1: This row is counting by 6s - every term is 6 more than the one before. Step 2: Label the positions: 6 is the 1st term, 12 is the 2nd, 18 is the 3rd, 24 is the 4th. Step 3: Each term is its position times 6: the 4th term is 4 × 6 = 24. Multiplication jumps straight to any term - no counting needed. Say it plainly: in a skip-counting sequence, term number × step = the term. The multiplication table is just skip counting written in rows.

Check yourself — explain it

Why does multiplication find a term faster than counting one by one?

Paired problem — example still visible

Counting by 7s: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35. What is the 5th term? Check it with multiplication. -> 35 - the 5th term is 5 × 7 = 35

Faded completion — last step is yours

"Counting by 8s, the 6th term is 6 × 8 = ___." -> 48

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10 scored questions with a 3-rung hint ladder. Mastery needs 8/10 plus both gate questions.

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