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How to Learn the Times Tables

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Multiplication

Have you ever wondered what multiplication actually is? We all had to learn, memorise, and recite the Times Tables again and again and again. But how many of us have an understanding of the process of multiplication?

Imagine you have to add 1 four times. That means you do: 1 plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 = 4. This is called repeated addition.

So, a repeated addition is when we add a number to itself a certain number of times or the addition where all the numbers are equal (the same). You can add any number as many times as you want.

TIMES TABLES GRID

Multiplying by 0 (zero)

Any number multiplied by 0 (zero) has the answer 0 (zero). How easy that is!?

The 2 Times Table

Let us count by 2s from 2 to 20: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20.

Times tables are based on grouping: grouping by 2s, by 3s, by 4s, by 5s, etc. By counting by 2s you are already starting to learn the 2 times table because those are the answers to the two times table. More than this, if you use some marbles or any other objects and you make groups of two objects, you are already adding up groups of two so you are on your way of learning the two times tables.

Have a look at the lens below which treats counting by 2s using groups of two objects/pictures/animals/birds/etc. for the purpose of this lens concentrate on the skip counting by 2s only.

Practise Skip Counting by 2s

1 X 2 = 2

1 x 2 represents one group of two objects.

So 1 x 2 = 2

Two lemons

Multiplying by 1

When you multiply a number by 1, the answer is that number. Another easy fact. Who said that Multiplication is hard? I know ... just kidding.

2 X 2 = 4

2 x 2 means we have two groups of two objects each.

That is: 2 apples + 2 apples = 4 apples

Four apples

Trick #1. The 2 Times Table

Method 1. Use the repeated addition shown troughout the lens.
Method 2. Add the number to itself.

Example: 6 x 2 becomes 6 + 6 = 12,
or 34 x 2 = 34 + 34 = 68.

Trick #2. The 4 Times Table

Step 1. Take any number and double it.

Step 2. Then double the answer from Step 1.

Example:

7 x 4 becomes 7 x 2 = 14, 14 x 2 = 28.
Hence 7 x 4 = 28

3 X 2 = 6

3 x 2 means we have three groups of two objects each.

That is:

3 groups x 2 leaves = 2 leaves + 2 leaves + 2 leaves

= ( 2 + 2 ) + 2

= 4 + 2

= 6

This can also be used to remember 2 x 3 = 6

Six maple leaves

Trick #3. The 8 Times Table

Step 1. Take any number and double it.

Step 2. Then double the answer from Step 1.

Step 3. Now double the answer from Step 2.

Example: 7 x 8 becomes 7 x 2 = 14, then 14 x 2 = 28, and finally 28 x 2 = 56.
Hence 7 x 8 = 56

The Times Tables on Amazon

4 X 2 = 8

4 x 2 means we have four groups of two objects each.

That is:

4 groups x 2 roses each = 2 roses + 2 roses + 2 roses + 2 roses

= ( 2 + 2 ) + 2 + 2

= ( 4 + 2 ) + 2

= 6 + 2

= 8

This can also be used to remember that 2 x 4 = 8

Eight roses

Eight roses

5 X 2 = 10

5 x 2 means we have five groups of two objects each.

That is:

5 groups x 2 daises each

= 2 daises + 2 daises+ 2 daises+ 2 daises+ 2 daises

= ( 2 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2

= ( 4 + 2 ) + 2 + 2

= ( 6 + 2 ) + 2

= 8 + 2

= 10

This can also be used to remember that 2 x 5 = 10

Ten daises

Trick #4. The 10 Times Table

When multiplying a number by 10, all you have to do is add a 0 (zero) after the number.

Example: 9 x 10 becomes 9 with a 0 after it; that is 90.
Hence 9 x 10 = 90

Free Multiplication Worksheets

2 Times Tables worksheets at about.com: Do one of these a night! You can see how long it takes you do complete a page or you can see how far you get in a minute.
Generate your own Multiplication worksheets at SoftSchools.com: SoftSchools.com provides free math worksheets, free math games, grammar quizzes and free phonics worksheets and games. Worksheets and games are organized by grades and topics. These printable math and phonics worksheets are auto generated.

6 X 2 = 12

6 x 2 means we have six groups of two shoes each.

That is:

6 groups x 2 shoes each

= 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

= ( 2 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

= ( 4 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2

= ( 6 + 2 ) + 2 + 2

= ( 8 + 2 ) + 2

= 10 + 2

= 12

This can also be used to remember that 2 x 6 = 12

Twelve shoes

Trick #5. The 5 Times Table

Step 1. Take a number and multiply it by 10.

Step 2. Then half the answer from Step 1.

Example: 7 x 5 becomes 7 x 10 = 70, then 70 / 2 = 35.
Hence 7 x 5 = 35

7 X 2 = 14

7 x 2 means we have seven groups of two kids each.

7 groups x 2 kids each

.......................................= 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.......................................= ( 2 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.......................................= ( 4 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.......................................= ( 6 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2

.......................................= ( 8 + 2 ) + 2 + 2

.......................................= ( 10 + 2 ) + 2

.......................................= 12 + 2

.......................................= 14

Fourteen kids

14 kids

Trick #6. The 9 Times Table

Step 1. Hold your hands in front of you with your fingers spread out.

Step 2. Will use an example here. What is 9 X 4? Answer: Bend your fourth (from left to right) finger down.

Step 3. You have 3 fingers to the left of the bent finger and 6 to the right of the bent finger.

Step 4. Hence the answer must be 36

The Fingers Trick on YouTube

Multiplication Fact Song- (9 times tables trick using fingers): by mathsongs1 | video info

142 ratings | 137,176 views

Mr. R.'s song about the 9 times tables and a trick using your fingers to help learn them. See more of Mr. R.'s free math and science resources at http://mathstory.com/ LYRICS I know my 9's tables, I know my 9's, I know my times tables, I know my 9's, Your times table, My times table Their times table, 9 times table, Our times table Whose times table? His times table, Her 9's table, I know my 9's tables, I know my 9's, I know my times tables, I know my 9's, Now listen to my little trick, It's one you oughta' know, Listen to my 9's times trick, And this is how it goes... My 10 fingers in the air, To figure 9 times 2, Swinging down my second finger what I have to do, 1 finger's up on one side, The other side has 8, 9 x 2, is 18, Every time, Got it straight... Break 1 I know my 9's tables, I know my 9's, I know my times tables, I know my 9's, Your times table, My times table, Their times table, 9 times table, Our times table, Whose times table? His times table, Her 9's table, Let me show you 27, Is just 9 x 3, Swinging down my third finger, The rest is real easy, You got a 2 on one side, 7 on the right, 9 x 3 is 27, Each and every night... Now I do, 9 x 4, This is how it goes, Swing on down, Your fourth finger, Or you can use your toes... Got 3 up on one side, The other side shows 6, 36 is 9 x 4, 9 times tables, 9 times tricks... Break 2 I know my 9's tables, I know my 9's, I know my times tables, I know my 9's, Your times table, My times table, Their times table, 9 times table, Our times table Whose times table? His times table, Her nines table, I know my 9's tables, I know my 9's, I know my times tables, I know my 9's, 9 x 5, 45 4 and 5 are up, 9 x 6, 54 Oh yes! Oh yeah! Oh yup! 9 x 7, 63 I think you get the drift, 9 x 8, 7 and 2, This trick gives me the gift! I know my 9's tables, I know my 9's, I know my times tables, I know my 9's, Your times table, My times table, Their times table, 9 times table, Our times table, Whose times table? His times table, Her 9's table, 9 x 9, 81 Yes that satisfies me, 9 x 10, 9 and 0, Always makes a 90, Now you know a 9's times trick, I hope you use it too, Until you memorize your 9's times facts, It's something you can do...

automatically generated by YouTube

8 X 2 = 16

8 x 2 means we have eight groups of two books each.

That is:

8 groups x 2 books each

= 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

= ( 2 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

= ( 4 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

= ( 6 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

= ( 8 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2

= (10 + 2) + 2 + 2

= (12 + 2) + 2

= 14 + 2

= 16

This can also be used to remember that 2 x 8 = 16

Sixteen books

Trick #7. All Times Table

Did you know that the operation of multiplication is commutative? What does that mean? That means that
7 x 2 = 2 x 7 = 14 for example. This means that if you can work out the 2, the 4, the 5, the 8, the 9 and the 10 times tables (using the previous tricks), you already know that
2 x 7 =14, 4 x 7 = 28, 5 x 7 = 35, 8 x 7 = 56, 9 x 7 = 63 and 10 x 7 =70.

9 X 2 = 18

9 x 2 means we have nine groups of two presents each.

That is:

9 groups x 2 presents each

.............................................................= 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= ( 2 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= ( 4 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= ( 6 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= ( 8 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= (10 + 2) + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= (12 + 2) + 2 + 2

.............................................................= (14 + 2) + 2

.............................................................= 16 + 2

.............................................................= 18

This can also be used to remember that 2 x 9 = 18

Eighteen presents

18 Presents

10 X 2 = 20

10 x 2 means we have ten groups of two objects each.

That is:

10 groups x 2 objects each

.............................................................= 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= ( 2 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= ( 4 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= ( 6 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= ( 8 + 2 ) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= (10 + 2) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= (12 + 2) + 2 + 2 + 2

.............................................................= (14 + 2) + 2 + 2

.............................................................= (16 + 2) + 2

.............................................................= 18 + 2

.............................................................= 20

This can also be used to remember that 2 x 10 = 20

Trick #8. The 3 Times Table

Method 1. When multiplying by 3 add the number tree times. That is 6 x 3 = 6 + 6 + 6 = 12 + 6 = 18. This might take a bit too long although with practice you start memorising the answers.
Method 2. From the previous tricks you already know 0 x 3, 1 x 3, 2 x 3, 4 x 3, 5 x 3, 8 x 3, 9 x 3 and 10 x 3. So, what's left? 3 x 3, 6 x 3 and 7 x 3.
3 x 3 = 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 and 6 x 3 is double 3 x 3. So 6 x 3 = 2 x 9 = 18. Finally 7 x 3 is just another 3 added to 6 x 3. So 7 x 3 = 18 + 3 = 21.

Rap and Learn the 2 Times Tables

Trick #9. The 6 Times Table

Now that you know how to work out the 3 times table, all you have to do is double the answers to find the 6 times table.

Example: 2 x 3 = 6, hence 6 x 2 = 12
3 x 3 = 9, hence 3 x 6 = 18
4 x 3 = 12, hence 4 x 6 = 24
5 x 3 = 15, hence 5 x 6 = 30
6 x 3 = 18, hence 6 x 6 = 36
7 x 3 = 21, hence 7 x 6 = 42
8 x 3 = 24, hence 8 x 6 = 48
9 x 3 = 27, hence 9 x 6 = 54
....

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How did you learn the two times table?

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GrammaLinda May 11, 2012 @ 4:25 pm | delete

Thank you for such an easy, understandable explanation of the times table. I will be sharing this with my grandkids! Blessings!

Reply

TheLifestyleChanger Mar 11, 2012 @ 3:04 am | delete

The tricks are so helpful!

Reply

naheedahsan Feb 7, 2012 @ 1:03 am | delete

very interesting lens

Reply

jeremykim2011 Jan 28, 2012 @ 10:06 am | delete

I memorized the table as a kid. Later on, some of my friends taught me how to use the fingers.

This lens makes me remember elementary. :)

Reply

bechand Jan 21, 2012 @ 3:38 pm | delete

just add to itself
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Fun and interesting Maths

Trick #10. The 7 Times Table

Now you know how to work out all the other tables which means you should know how to work out the 7 times table also. Remember that multiplication is commutative? So, this is how it works again:
7 x 1 = 1 x 7 = 7
7 x 2 = 2 x 7 = 14
7 x 3 = 3 x 7 = 21
......
The only one you have to memorise is 7 x 7 = 49 although it can be worked out also.

Resources

The Math Board Games Book - Printable Math Games Printable Math Board Games to make math practice fun. Math games for School or Homeschool education. A great math resource for Teachers and Parents. Perfect for students to use at school or at at home to practice basic math skills.
Easy to Learn Multiplication Tables A simple, easy to set up program that parents will be eager to get for their kids. Requires kids to practice 5-10 minutes a day to learn their times tables. Provides voice (audio) and visual reinforcement.
How To Thrive And Survive In The Classroom Unique teleseminar targeting teachers, principals and administrators. Earn 50% commission. Finally, affordable professional development to enable teachers to create their ideal classroom and motivate their students, without burning themselves out.

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bechand Jan 21, 2012 @ 3:38 pm | delete

I will show some of these videos to my son - this is just what he is working on

Reply

Ryan1111 Jan 5, 2012 @ 12:03 pm | delete

Great lens, this is great for anyone trying to learn they're times tables.

Reply

sushilkin Sep 11, 2011 @ 2:45 pm | delete

Gr8 Thanks for sharing !!

Reply

Psycho-Gamer Jul 11, 2011 @ 10:01 am | delete

I so...so...so hated as a child the 9 times table....omg...i hated it so much...and i still hate it....although now it is easier for my really advanced brain (yeah right)....

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