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Thrice — Definition, Formula & Examples

Thrice is a word that means three times. If you have thrice a number, you multiply that number by 3.

The term "thrice" denotes multiplication of a given quantity by the factor 3, yielding the product 3×n3 \times n for any value nn.

Key Formula

thrice n=3×n\text{thrice } n = 3 \times n
Where:
  • nn = The number being tripled

Worked Example

Problem: A recipe calls for thrice the amount of flour you used last time. Last time you used 4 cups. How much flour do you need now?
Set up: Thrice means three times, so multiply 4 by 3.
3×43 \times 4
Multiply: Calculate the product.
3×4=123 \times 4 = 12
Answer: You need 12 cups of flour.

Why It Matters

Word problems in elementary math often use vocabulary like "thrice," "twice," and "half" instead of writing out the multiplication directly. Recognizing these words helps you translate English sentences into math expressions quickly and correctly.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Confusing "thrice" with "twice" and multiplying by 2 instead of 3.
Correction: Remember that "twice" means two times and "thrice" means three times. Thrice always involves multiplying by 3.