×2
Double it
For the 2 times table. Two groups of something is just double it.
Example: 2 × 8 = 16
- Two groups of 8 is double 8: 8 + 8 = 16.
Multiplication strategies
You don't have to remember every fact on its own. Most can be built from a few easy ones: doubles, tens and fives. These are the same strategies the HipHopMath games show when an answer is tricky.
Two ideas that halve the work
Turn it round
7 × 8 and 8 × 7 are the same: seven rows of eight dots turned on their side are eight rows of seven. So if 8 × 7 feels hard, use whichever number has the easier strategy. Every fact you learn is really two facts.
Know your anchors
Doubles (×2), tens (×10) and fives (×5, half of ten) are the anchors. Almost every strategy below starts from one of them.
×4
Double, then double again
For the 4 times table. Four is two doubled, so double the number, then double the answer.
Example: 4 × 7 = 28
- 7 + 7 = 14.
- 14 + 14 = 28.
×8
Four groups, doubled
For the 8 times table. Eight is four doubled. Find four groups, then double that.
Example: 8 × 6 = 48
- Double 6, then double again: 12 + 12 = 24, so 4 × 6 = 24.
- Eight groups is double that: 24 + 24 = 48.
×5
Half of ten groups
For the 5 times table. Five groups is half of ten groups, and ten groups is easy.
Example: 5 × 7 = 35
- 10 × 7 = 70.
- Five groups is half as many: half of 70 is 35.
×9
Ten groups, take one away
For the 9 times table. Nine groups is ten groups with one group taken away.
Example: 9 × 6 = 54
- 10 × 6 = 60.
- Take away one 6: 60 − 6 = 54.
×3
Double, plus one more group
For the 3 times table. Three groups is two groups (a double) plus one more group.
Example: 3 × 8 = 24
- 2 × 8 = 16.
- 16 + 8 = 24.
×6
Five groups plus one more
For the 6 times table. Six groups is five groups plus one more group.
Example: 6 × 7 = 42
- 5 × 7 = 35.
- 35 + 7 = 42.
×7
Five groups plus two groups
For the 7 times table, the hardest one. Seven groups is five groups plus two groups. Both are easy, then add.
Example: 7 × 8 = 56
- 5 × 8 = 40.
- 2 × 8 = 16.
- 40 + 16 = 56.
×11
Ten groups and one more
For the 11 times table. Eleven groups is ten groups plus one more group.
Example: 11 × 7 = 77
- 10 × 7 = 70.
- Add one more 7: 70 + 7 = 77.
×12
Ten groups plus two groups
For the 12 times table. Twelve groups is ten groups plus two groups.
Example: 12 × 7 = 84
- 10 × 7 = 70.
- 2 × 7 = 14.
- 70 + 14 = 84.
Halve, then double
When one number is even, halve it, multiply, then double the answer. For 6 × 7: 3 × 7 = 21, and double 21 is 42. For 12 × 12: 6 × 12 = 72, and double 72 is 144.
Square numbers
A number times itself (3 × 3, 7 × 7) makes a square of dots. The squares, 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121 and 144, are worth knowing by heart because they are their own turnaround: there is only one of each to learn.
Which strategy should a child use?
Whichever makes sense to them. Strategies are a bridge: working a fact out the same way a few times is what turns it into a fact that is simply known. Short, regular practice helps that happen.
Put them to work on the hardest facts
Or explore the whole multiplication chart.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to work out 7 × 8?
Split the 7 groups into 5 groups and 2 groups: 5 × 8 = 40 and 2 × 8 = 16, and 40 + 16 = 56. Or remember “5, 6, 7, 8: 56 = 7 × 8”.
Should children memorize times tables or use strategies?
Both. Strategies give understanding and a way to recover a forgotten fact; regular practice then makes the facts quick to recall.