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Multiplication Patterns

When you are still learning the multiplication table, it can be good to use a multiplication grid. Tap the grid to download.

 

To use the grid, read along the top and along the side, as you would if you were using coordinates on a map.

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Make it Easy - Look for Patterns

There are patterns you can learn to help you recall the multiplication table. You don't have to memorise the entire table.

X2

With the 2s, you double the number that you are multiplying. For example, 2X3 = 6 because double 3 is 6. The 2s are simply increasing in even numbers with the pattern

2, 4, 6, 8, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 0.

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2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

X3

There aren't too many patterns with the 3s but if you look at the answers, they add together to make either 3, 6, or 9. For example: 7X3 = 21 and 2 add 1 is 3.

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3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30

X4

You use the double double strategy with the 4s. For example 3X4 = 12 because you double the number you are multiplying by (in this case 3) which is 6 and then you double again which makes 12. The 4s also follow the 4, 8, 2, 6, 0, 4, 8, 2, 6, 0 pattern.

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4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40

X5

The answers either end in a zero or five. The first number follows the pattern 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5 besides 1X5 which starts with, you guessed it 5!

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5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50

X6

If you watch the footy (Australian Football League), then you may have memorised the 6s already. All the answers to the 6s end in an even number. The 6s follow the pattern

6, 2, 8, 4, 0, 6, 2, 8, 4, 0.

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6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60

X7

The 7s don't follow a particular pattern unfortunately. Thankfully, there are a few tricks which can help you out.

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7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70

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2X7 is the same as 7X2 = 14
 

3X7 is the same as 7X3 = 21
 

If you know 7X3, 7X4 is easy because you just add 7 which makes 28.

5X7 = 35 which is in the five times tables (7X5). Also if you pretend the equation is 10X7 = 70, you can half it which is 35.

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6X7 = 42 which is double 3X7 which is 21. Doubling 21 is easy!

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7x7 = 49 (try and memorise this one)

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8X7 = 56. Do it backwards so 5678. Get it?

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9X7 = 63. Pretend it is 10X7 which is 70 and then take away 9.

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10X7 = 70 (piece of cake).

X8

The 8s follow the pattern of 8, 6, 4, 2, 0, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0 in the second digit (tens place).

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8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80

X9

With the the 9s the second digit (tens place) reduces by 1 each time. In addition, the two numbers that make up the answer, add up to 9 such as 2X9 =18. The 1 and 8 add to make 9.

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18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90, 99, 108

X10

The 10s are easy because all you do is add a zero after the number.

​10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100

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