Real-life hook
A spider has 8 legs. How many legs on 3 spiders? 8 × 3 = 24 — reachable by doubling three times.
See it
The idea
Multiplying by 8 is doubling three times. For 8 × 3: double 3 → 6, double → 12, double → 24. (It's also the 4 times table doubled.)
Worked examples
8 × 3 = 24
- Double 3 → 6.
- Double → 12.
- Double → 24.
8 × 5 = 40
- Double 5 → 10.
- Double → 20.
- Double → 40.
Common mistake
Watch out: Stopping after two doublings (that's ×4, not ×8).
Better: Double three times: 3 → 6 → 12 → 24.
Use it in real life
Eight cupcakes per box, 3 boxes: 8 × 3 = 24 cupcakes.