Page 1 · Introduction
What multiplication means
Multiplication is a quick way of adding the same number many times. ‘3 × 4’ means 3 groups of 4, or 4 + 4 + 4. Knowing your times tables well makes so much of maths faster and easier.
The big ideaTimes tables are just repeated adding. Each table has a helpful pattern or trick — once you spot it, you don’t have to memorise every fact one by one.
💡We look at what multiplication means, then the friendly tricks for the trickier tables. Little and often is the best way to learn these.
On the real testWhere this appearsTimes tables come up all through the Mathematical Reasoning part of the OC test (sat in Year 4). Knowing them quickly is a big help.
Page 2 · Groups of
Multiplication is groups
‘4 × 3’ means 4 groups of 3. You can count them up: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.
What is 3 × 5?
3 groups of 5: 5 + 5 + 5 = 15.
15
What is 4 × 2?
4 groups of 2: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8.
8
Page 3 · Easy tables
The 2, 5 and 10 tricks
The 2 times table is just doubling. The 10 times table adds a zero. The 5 times table always ends in 5 or 0.
What is 6 × 10?
Add a zero to 6: 60.
60
What is 4 × 5?
Count in 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20.
20
Page 4 · The 9 trick
A clever finger trick
For the 9 times table, the two digits of the answer always add up to 9, and the tens digit is one less than the number you multiplied by. So 9 × 4: tens digit is 3 (one less than 4), and 3 + 6 = 9, so the answer is 36.
What is 9 × 3?
Tens digit is 2 (one less than 3); 2 + 7 = 9, so 27.
27
What is 9 × 5?
Tens digit is 4; 4 + 5 = 9, so 45.
45
Page 5 · Word problems
Multiplication in real life
Look for ‘groups of’ or ‘each’ in a question — that’s a clue to multiply.
There are 4 bags with 6 apples in each. How many apples?
4 groups of 6: 4 × 6 = 24.
24
A box holds 5 rows of 3 eggs. How many eggs?
5 × 3 = 15.
15
Level 1 · Easy
Warm up
Easy tables. Tap to check.
1. What is 2 × 4?
2 groups of 4 = 8.
2. What is 5 × 2?
5 × 2 = 10.
3. What is 3 × 10?
Add a zero to 3: 30.
Level 2 · Medium
Building up
The 5s and doubles.
1. What is 6 × 5?
Count in 5s to 6 times: 30.
2. What is 4 × 4?
4 groups of 4 = 16.
3. What is 7 × 2?
Double 7 = 14.
Level 3 · Hard
Getting tougher
The 9s and bigger tables.
1. What is 9 × 4?
9 × 4 = 36 (3 and 6 add to 9).
2. What is 6 × 3?
6 × 3 = 18.
3. What is 8 × 5?
8 × 5 = 40.
Level 4 · Challenge
Challenge
Word problems and two steps.
1. There are 6 boxes with 4 pencils in each. How many pencils?
6 × 4 = 24.
2. A room has 5 rows of 6 chairs. How many chairs?
5 × 6 = 30.
3. 3 packs have 8 stickers each. If you use 4 stickers, how many are left?
3 × 8 = 24, then 24 − 4 = 20.
Page 10 · Well done
You’ve finished Times Tables & Multiplication
You now know that multiplication is groups, the tricks for the 2, 5, 9 and 10 tables, and how to spot multiplication in word problems. Keep practising a little each day and your tables will get faster and faster.
RememberMultiplication is repeated adding. Use the tricks: double for 2s, add a zero for 10s, count in 5s, and the digit trick for 9s.
🎉Great work! Try another module next — every one helps you get ready.
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