What is Skip Counting?
Skip counting, also called a form of early multiplication, is a procedure where we count numbers by skipping one number in between and directly jumping on the second number. This number can be any number other than 1. This method is helpful in the process of learning addition and multiplication, as we can count things quickly in our minds. We can apply skip counting either forward or backward on the number line. Let’s see how it can be done.
Forward Skip Counting
In forward skip counting, we only use positive numbers to skip. Here, the number series goes in the forward direction as we need to add a certain number to the previous number. The image here provides an example of forward skip counting by 5.
Backward Skip Counting
In backward skip counting, we use negative numbers to skip the numbers. Here, the series of the numbers goes in a backward direction as we subtract a certain number from the previous number.
Now that we have an idea about forward and backward skip counting, let’s start to skip count using different numbers.
Skip Counting by 2
Skip counting by 2 is a step by step method of adding or subtracting the number 2. This will give us a series of alternate even numbers. Here, we are skip counting by 2 on a number line. So, starting at 0, the next number will be 0 + 2 = 2, then, 2 + 2 = 4, then 4 + 2 = 6, then 6 + 2 = 8, and then, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and so on.
Skip Counting by 3
Skip counting by 3 also helps in memorizing the multiplication table of 3, because as we start with 3 and count by applying this method, we obtain a list of the multiples of 3. Starting from 0, we keep on adding 3 to each previous number to obtain the next number in the list.
Skip counting by Bigger Numbers like 25
You can also skip count by 25 when there are hundreds of items to count. It will make counting quick and easy. This is how we skip count by 25:
Just like 25, we can use skip counting for other big numbers like 50, 100, 200, and so on.
Rapid Recall
Solved Examples
Example 1: James has a handful of $2 coins worth $30. Every time James puts a coin in a vending machine, a candy comes out. How much money would James still have if he takes 6 candies from the vending machine?
Solution:
As stated, James has coins worth $30.
James needs to insert a $2 coin to get candy from the vending machine, which means we need to subtract $2 from the total money every time James gets a candy.
So, for the first time when James gets a candy, he will have 30 – 2 = $28 . Similarly, if he takes another candy he will be left with 28 – 2 = $26 .
By using skip counting, we can find the total money that James is left with. Since the series is in descending order, we can do backward skip counting by 2 to find the total amount he has left.
That is,
30 – 2 = 28 [James has 1 candy]
28 – 2 = 26 [James has 2 candies]
26 – 2 = 24 [James has 3 candies]
24 – 2 = 22 [James has 4 candies]
22 – 2 = 20 [James has 5 candies]
20 – 2 = 18 [James has 6 candies]
So, after taking 6 candies James has $18 with him.
Example 2: Find the series by skip counting with 5, starting from 25.
Solution:
To obtain the series starting from 25 using skip counting by 5, we add 5 to each number to obtain the next number in the series. So we have,
25 + 5 = 30
30 + 5 = 35
35 + 5 = 40
40 + 5 = 45 and so on.
The required list is 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and so on.
Example 3: What comes next to 33 if we skip count by 4?
Solution:
To find the number next to 33 by skip counting with 4, we add 4 to 33.
33 + 4 = 37
So, the required number is 37.
In our everyday life, we often use skip counting when we are talking about time, counting money, scoring points in games like basketball and there are many more examples that can be observed.
Yes, skip counting can be done either forward or backward by a number other than 1.
Learning skip counting enables us to perform calculations faster in our minds.
Because while counting, we skip some numbers by going forward in the count with the value of another number.