Fewer facts than it looks
The tables from 2 to 12, each multiplied by 1 to 12, contain 132 questions. Many come in reversed pairs. 7 × 8 and 8 × 7 have the same answer, so learning one gives you the other and saves work.
Some tables have a pattern you can lean on. In the 9s, for multipliers from 1 to 10, the tens digit is one less than the multiplier, and the tens and units digits add up to 9. The 5s end in 5 or 0 and are half of the 10s. The 4s are double the 2s.
Doubling covers more than you expect. The 2s are one double, the 4s are two doubles and the 8s are three. So 8 × 6 is 6 doubled to 12, doubled to 24, doubled to 48.
The 9s, worked
Take 9 × 4. The tens digit is one less than 4, which is 3. The two digits of the answer add up to 9, so the units digit is 9 − 3, which is 6. The answer is 36.
Try it on 9 × 8. The tens digit is 7. The units digit is 9 − 7, which is 2. The answer is 72.
The pattern holds for every multiplier from 1 to 10. At 9 × 11 and 9 × 12 it stops, so learn those two as they are: 99 and 108.
Six facts to practice
The patterns help with many of the tables. Here are six facts to practice recalling: 6 × 7 = 42, 6 × 8 = 48, 7 × 8 = 56, 7 × 9 = 63, 8 × 9 = 72 and 9 × 6 = 54.
Five of them do have a rule. The 9s rule gives 7 × 9, 8 × 9 and 9 × 6. Three doubles give 6 × 8 and 7 × 8. Only 6 × 7 has neither.
Working a rule still takes a moment. Drill these six until they come back without one, in the order above.
Now use the 9s pattern on a fact this page has not worked.
Try it
Use the 9s pattern. What is 9 × 3?
- 27
- 36
Show the answer
27
Correct. The tens digit is 3 − 1, which is 2, and 2 + 7 = 9, so the answer is 27.
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