Multiples of 3
Multiples of 3 are what you get when you multiply 3 by whole numbers. Common multiples of two numbers lead to the LCM.
Skip-counting keeps the last-digit rhythm of 3: the first ten multiples end in 3, 6, 9, 2, 5, 8, 1, 4, 7, 0. The first ten also pair to 33 in five pairs (3 + 30, 6 + 27, …) — the same numbers the multiplication table shows under other names. Because 3 is odd, consecutive multiples alternate odd and even: 3 is odd, 6 is even, 9 is odd again. The tenth multiple is the place-value shift: 30 is just 3 with a zero appended, since multiplying by ten always moves one place left. First common multiple with 2: 6, in row 2; with 3: 3 (row 1).
| # | Multiple |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 6 |
| 3 | 9 |
| 4 | 12 |
| 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 18 |
| 7 | 21 |
| 8 | 24 |
| 9 | 27 |
| 10 | 30 |
| 11 | 33 |
| 12 | 36 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the first 12 multiples of 3?
They are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 — each is 3 times a whole number.
What is 3 times 6?
3 × 6 = 18.
What is the difference between a multiple and a factor?
Multiples of 3 are bigger or equal (3, 6, 9, …); factors of 3 divide it and are smaller or equal. They are two directions of the same multiplication.