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Top Tips for Number Facts

Times Tables

We all know that learning times tables is an essential part of your child's mathematical education. Children who have mastered their tables gain a solid foundation in mathematics that will help them throughout their progression within the subject. Children who do not master their tables generally make slower progress in written and mental calculation. Many children are able to recite in order their timetables, but to truly know the answer to any times table question independently is a skill that takes a lot of hard work. The national expectation is that every child will be able to answer any times table question mentally within a five second period by the end of Year 4. This is a very high expectation and often children are still learning their tables in Year 5 and beyond.

Year 1 and 2     
The 2 times table
2 x a number = doubles. So use doubles
2 times a number means add it twice.
All the numbers in the 2 x table are even
All numbers with a units number of 2, 4, 6, 8 or 0 are in the two times table.
The 5 times table  

Remember all lots of 5 end in a 5 or a 0

 

The 10 times table

 

All multiples of 10 has zero units.
Year 2  

The 3 times table

  
Numbers are odd or even.

In order they make an odd then even repetitive pattern.

Another way of working out your 3s is to double the number and then add one more lot.  E.g. 7 x 3 = (double 7) + 7

They form a pattern on the number square.

Year 2 and 3  
The 4 times table  
 All multiples of 4 are even.   
All multiples of 4 will have 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0 units, but, not numbers with these numbers of units will be a multiple of 4.

All facts in the 4 times table are double the corresponding fact in the 2 x table. This is becuase 4 lots is double 2 lots.

E.g. 6 lots of 2 = 12

so 6 lots of 4 = 12 x 2 = 24

Year 3

 

The 8 times table

 

All multiples of 8 are even

All facts in the 8 times table are double the corresponding fact in the 4 times table.  This is because 8 lots is double 4 lots.

E.g. 7 lots of 4 =28

so 7 lots of 8 = 28 x 2 = 56

Year 3 and 4

 

The 6 times table

 

All the numbers in the 6 times table are even.

All the facts in the 6 times table are double the corresponding fact in the 3 times table.  This is because 6 lots is double 3 lots.  

E.g. 8 times 3 = 24

so 8 times 6 = 24 x 2 = 48

Year 4

 
The 7 times table  
The numbers in the 7 times table are odd or even
If the multiples are said in order they form a repetative odd-even pattern.
The 9 times table  
The numbers in the 9 times table are odd and even  
If the multiples are said in order they form a repetitive odd-even pattern.
A helpful way to learn the 9 times table is by adding 10 and minusing 1 each time.

If you look at the multiples of 9.  The tens digit goes up by 1 each time and the units go down by 1 each time.  This is until you reach 11 lots of 9.

9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90, 99

All the digits in each multiple add up to 9 or a multiple of 9 in larger numbers.

E.g. 27 : 2 + 7 = 9

81 : 8 + 1 = 9

918: 9 + 1 + 8 = 18 

 

There is a handy finger trick for learning the 9 times table. .

The 11 times table

 
Multiples of 11 are odd or even. If multiples are said in order they create a repetitive odd-even pattern.  

To multiple by 11 you can multiply the number by 10 and then add one more lot.

E.g. 11 x 13 = (10 x 13) + 13 = 143

Up to 9 x 11 the multiples of 11 have the same number  of tens and units.

E.g. 3 x 11 = 33 and 6 x 11 = 66

The Rule: When multiplying a 2 digit number times eleven, add the 2 digits together and put the sum between them - this is your answer.

Examples:
11 X 53: 5 + 3 = 8, so put the 8 between the 5 and 3. Your answer is 583! 11 X 12: 1 + 2 = 3; put the 3 between the 1 and 2. Your answer is 132.
11 X 42: 4 + 2 = 6; put the 6 between the 4 and 2. Your answer is 462.

 

Yes, this works for every 2 digit number, through 99. BE CAREFUL! You do have to carry when your sum calls for it:

 

11 X 75: 7 + 5 = 12. Put the 2 between the 7 and 5, but carry the one over to the next column (the 7). Your answer is 825.

11 X 86: 8 + 6 = 14. Put the 4 between the 8 and 6, carry the one over to the 8. Your answer is 946.

The 12 times table  
All multiples of 12 are even  
You can multiple a number by 10 and then add double the number to find the answer.
E.g. 12 x 9 = (10 x 9) + (2 x 9) = 108