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Times tables tricks that make multiplication easy
You don't have to memorize all 144 facts one by one. With a few tricks, most of the times table works itself out.
Flip it around
3 × 8 is the same as 8 × 3. Once you know one, you know the other, so there are really only about half as many facts to learn.
The easy ones first
- × 1: the number stays the same. 7 × 1 = 7.
- × 2: just double it. 2 × 8 = 8 + 8 = 16.
- × 10: put a 0 on the end. 6 × 10 = 60.
- × 5: think of a clock. 5 × 7 is where the minute hand is at 7: 35 minutes.
Doubling for 4s and 8s
× 4 is "double, then double again." 4 × 6: double 6 is 12, double 12 is 24.
× 8 is "double three times." 8 × 7: 14, 28, 56.
The 9s finger trick
- Hold up all 10 fingers.
- For 9 × 4, fold down your 4th finger from the left.
- Count the fingers left of the fold (3) and right of it (6).
- That's the answer: 36.
Another check: the digits of a 9s answer always add up to 9 (3 + 6 = 9).
Use a fact you know
Don't know 6 × 7? If you know 5 × 7 = 35, just add one more 7: 35 + 7 = 42.
Try one yourself
8 × 6 = ?
Hint: double 6 three times.
Practice tips
- Practice a little every day. Five minutes beats one long hour.
- Learn one table at a time, and mix in ones you already know.
- Say them out loud, or turn them into a song.
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