Skip-counting means counting forward or backward by a number other than one. Instead of saying every number in order, you “skip” some numbers each time.
Skip-counting helps you find number patterns and prepares you for multiplication facts.
A skip-counting pattern has equal spaces between each number. Look at the difference between numbers to figure out the rule.
If the difference between numbers is always the same, you have found a skip-counting pattern.
Here are some skip-counting patterns you will often use in math:
Skip-counting by 5s, 10s, and 100s connects directly to place value and helps with adding and multiplying quickly.
Skip-counting is another way to think about multiplication. Each number in the pattern is a multiple of the counting number.
Practicing skip-counting helps you learn multiplication tables faster and makes solving problems easier.
Skip-counting is useful in many everyday situations, such as counting money, telling time, or grouping objects.
Recognizing patterns in numbers helps you solve problems faster in both school and daily life.