Times Table Challenge

Over the last few weeks we have begun learning and practicing our times tables each day.

Times Tables is actually another word for multiplication table. It is a table that shows the results of multiplying two numbers together.

Photo Credit: Canadian Pacific via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: Canadian Pacific via Compfight cc

Learning your times tables is very important because you use them in many different types of real life problem solving situations.

 FOR EXAMPLE…

When your shopping for food and you need to work out how much it would cost to buy more than one of the same item.

Or…

If you are cooking you might need to make a double batch and would need to multiply the ingredients to find out how much you would need.

 

For the first 5 minutes of each Math’s lesson our class are practicing a chosen times table. This is done by setting the stopwatch for 5 minutes and then seeing how quickly and accurately we can write our times tables on our recording sheet.  The first goal is to make sure they are all correct. Once this is achieved then we can work on improving our speed in recalling each times table.

Below are some tips for learning your Times Tables.

Order does not matter– When we multiply 2 numbers together it does not matter which number is first or second, the answer is always the same. So don’t memorise both 3×5 and 5×3 just memorise that 3 and a  5 make 15 when multiplied.

Every multiplication has a twin – For example if you forget  8×5 it might be easier to remember 5×8. This way you only need to remember half of the times table chart.

x2 Tables: Is just doubling the number, the same as adding the number to itself.

x5 Tables: Have a pattern: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 etc. It ends in either a 0 or a 5.

x6 Tables:  When you multiply 6 by an even number, they both end in the same digit. Example: 2=12, 6×4=24, 6×6=36, etc

x9 Tables:  Have a pattern  9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90

Now notice how the “units” place value goes down 9,8,7,6,5… and at the same time the “tens” place value goes up 1,2,3, 4…?

Use your hands to help. For example for 9×8, hold down your eighth finger and you can count 7 and 2 which is 72.

courtesy of mathsisfun.com

Also when you add the answer’s digits together, you get 9.
Example: 9×5=45 and 4+5=9. (But not with 9×11=99)

x10 Tables: Are the easiest of them all, just add a zero after it eg: 10×2 = 20, 10×3 = 30

x11 Tables: Up to 9×11: just repeat the digit (Example: 4×11 = 44). For 10×11 to 12×11: write the sum of the digits between the digits; Example: 12×11 = 1(2+1)1 = 131

x12 Tables: You can x10 add x2 eg: for 12 x 4 you can go 10×4 = 40 and 4 x2 = 8, add those answers together to get 48.

There are loads of fun games and songs that you can listen to and play to help you learn your times tables. Check out our math’s websites under the educational websites menu.


Get your own Poll!

Can you think of an example in everyday life where you might use times tables to solve a problem?

What have you used, played or listened to that has helped you learn your times tables?

Why do you think learning your times tables is important?

7 thoughts on “Times Table Challenge

  1. Dear Mrs Baldwin

    I have learnt my times tables by letting my family members help me and listening to the times tables on mathletics.

    I think learning times tables is important for everyday life when you’re working and others but I don’t really know them.
    Could we please try and do the 6, 3 and 8 times tables next?

    From Brodie

    1. Dear Brodie,
      That’s great that your family helps you with your times tables. Mathletics is always a great website to use as well. We will be learning our x3 tables next week. We will definitely be looking at the x8 and x6 times tables this term as well.
      From Mrs Baldwin

  2. Dear Mrs Baldwin,
    I think an everyday example of times-tables is when you get older you need to figure out your taxes. If you don’t have a computer the easiest way to find the total is to multiply.

    My main source of knowledge for times tables is my dad that helped me with getting a few basic tricks and the explanation of times-tables. He also helped with a lot of other subjects.
    From Ilya.

    1. Dear Ilya,
      That is a great example of when you would use your times tables. As an adult you will need to use them in many different ways and your taxes are very important. That’s great that your Dad helps you with some tricks with learning them. The tricks do help with becoming faster at recalling your times tables.
      From Mrs Baldwin

  3. Dear Mrs Baldwin,
    I think you would use times-tables in every day life like when you check how much money you have in your account or when your at the shops you might need to add big prices together and the best way to do is to multiply the prices together.
    QUESTION:
    What do you use times-tables for in your everyday life ?
    From Karina
    xoxoxo

    1. Dear Karina,
      They are some great examples of when you would use times tables in real life. I use times tables when I need to buy more then one item and need to multiply the price by the amount I want to buy. Great comment Karina!
      From Mrs Baldwin

  4. Dear mrs baldwin,

    you use times tables at school,
    at home or even in public
    and at places like friends
    house

    from Adam

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