For a lot of us math tests are right up there with chillin' with Grandma's lawn bowling team or battling back-acne on the anxiety-o-meter. Chill out. Kidzworld has the tips and tricks you need to master your multiplication tables. Sure, you're going to need to memorize some of them, but these tips will keep the number of those to a minimum. Check it out!
Zero and One Times Tables :: Could This Get Any Easier?
Check this out: if you multiply ANYTHING by zero, the answer is zero. Anything. 4 x 0 = 0 and 1,000,000 x 0 = 0. One times tables are almost as easy. Any number multiplied by one is always itself. "Huh," you say? Well, check it out: 1 x 10 = 10, 1 x 42 = 42, 8,726 x 1 = 8,726. Simple, right?
Math Class
Two Times Tables :: Double Your Pleasure
When you multiply a number by two, you just double that number. That's some pretty simple math, even for the most numerically challenged of us. So, if you want to figure out what 2 x 7 is, you just add 7 + 7 (the answer is 14, by the way). Any number times two is the same as that number PLUS itself. Here's one more example: 2 x 5 is the same as 5 + 5, which equals 10. Practice a couple -- it's really easy.
Four Times Tables :: Double, Double Trouble
OK, so now that you have the twos figured out, it's time to get doubling again. This is not as confusing as it may sound. When you multiply four with anything, you have to use the doubling-up trick (that's the one you used for the two times table) twice. Here's an example: 4 x 7 is the same as 7 + 7 = 14 and then 14 + 14 = 28. So 4 x 7 = 28. Here's another double, double example: 4 x 10 is the same as 10 + 10 = 20, so then 20 + 20 = 40. So the answer is 4 x 10 = 40.
Five Times Tables :: It's Why You Have Fingers
First things first - can you count to five? Yeah? Then you can figure out your five times tables. So, when you want to multiply a number by five you just count up by fives that may times. Let's review how to count by fives: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... and so on. Got it? So if you want to multiply 5 x 7, you just count by fives, seven times. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35. So 7 x 5 = 35. If you have trouble keeping track, just use your fingers.
Nine Times Tables - One Seriously Handy Tip
Here is a fun (OK, "fun" is a relative term) way to remember your nine times tables. For this method you are going to need to have two hands. Put your hands in front of you with your palms towards you. Your fingers represent the numbers one to ten (one is your left thumb; ten is your right thumb). Now you're ready to do your nine times tables. Let's say the question is 9 x 4. Count to the fourth finger (if you've counted right, it will be the ring finger on your left hand) and curl that finger under. Now you have three fingers up before that finger and 6 up after it. So the answer is 36. Let's try 9 x 8. Put down the 8th finger (middle finger on the right hand) so that you have seven fingers up before the finger you curled under, and two fingers afterward. So the answer is 72. If you're confused, check out the diagram at the top of this page on the right. It'll clear things up.
Ten Times Tables :: Just Add Zero and Stir
Here's another no-brainer. If you want to multiply something by 10, just add a zero on the end. Here's an example: 10 x 8 = 80 or 10 x 100 = 1,000. Try it with any number - from one to a billion. It's just too easy.
Eleven Times Tables :: Seeing Double
Here's another one that's as easy as pie. Any number - up to nine - multiplied by 11 is itself written out twice. Confused? Just check it out: 9 x 11 = 99, 4 x 11 = 44, 3 x 11 = 33 and so on.
* Hint *
Times tables work both ways (5 x 10 is the same as 10 x 5) so if you have the question 3 x 11, don't stress that there isn't a trick for the three times tables -- use the trick for 11 instead!
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