X Tables
Age Guides

Age 9 guide to all times tables

Age-appropriate activities, explanations and practice ideas for all times tables.

Quick answer

By the end of this page, you'll know all the times tables from 1 to 12, understand how they work, and be able to use them in real life.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand all times tables from 1 to 12 and be able to use them to solve problems in everyday life. Success signs:
  • You can quickly recall any multiplication fact from 1 to 12
  • You can use multiplication to solve real-life problems
  • You can spot patterns in the times tables
  • You can explain how multiplication works with groups of objects

Why this matters

Knowing your times tables helps you solve maths problems faster and easier. When you're shopping, sharing snacks, or playing games, multiplication helps you work out how many items there are or how much something costs. It also makes learning more advanced maths, like fractions and division, much easier later on. Understanding multiplication helps you think more quickly and confidently about numbers.

How it works

Multiplication is like adding the same number many times. For example, 3 × 4 means 3 groups of 4 items, or 4 + 4 + 4 = 12. We can also think of multiplication as an array – like a rectangle made of rows and columns. If you have 3 rows of 4 toys, you have 3 × 4 = 12 toys. You can use different methods to learn multiplication:
  • Counting in groups
  • Using arrays or pictures
  • Repeating addition
  • Using patterns

Examples you can see

Let's look at how multiplication works using real examples:

1 times table

  • 1 × 1 = 1 (one group of one)
  • 1 × 2 = 2 (one group of two)
  • 1 × 5 = 5 (one group of five)
  • 1 × 10 = 10 (one group of ten)

2 times table

  • 2 × 3 = 6 (two groups of three = 3 + 3 = 6)
  • 2 × 5 = 10 (two groups of five = 5 + 5 = 10)
  • 2 × 8 = 16 (two groups of eight = 8 + 8 = 16)

5 times table

  • 5 × 3 = 15 (five groups of three = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15)
  • 5 × 6 = 30 (five groups of six = 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 30)

10 times table

  • 10 × 4 = 40 (ten groups of four = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 40)
  • 10 × 7 = 70 (ten groups of seven = 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 70)

3 times table

  • 3 × 4 = 12 (three groups of four = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12)
  • 3 × 6 = 18 (three groups of six = 6 + 6 + 6 = 18)

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Treasure Hunt

You are on a treasure hunt! Each clue leads you to the next step. To find the treasure, you must solve multiplication puzzles.

Clue 1:

You find 4 bags. Each bag has 3 gold coins. How many coins are there in total? Answer: 4 × 3 = 12 coins

Clue 2:

You see 5 trees. Each tree has 2 birds. How many birds are there? Answer: 5 × 2 = 10 birds

Clue 3:

You find 6 boxes. Each box has 5 stickers. How many stickers are there? Answer: 6 × 5 = 30 stickers

Clue 4:

You see 7 rows of 4 flowers. How many flowers are there? Answer: 7 × 4 = 28 flowers

Clue 5:

You find 8 groups of 3 apples. How many apples are there? Answer: 8 × 3 = 24 apples

Final treasure:

If you collect all the items from the clues, how many items have you found in total? Answer: 12 + 10 + 30 + 28 + 24 = 104 items

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 6 × 7 = 42, but confusing it with 6 × 8 = 48
    Why it happens: Mixing up similar multiplication facts
    Fix: Practice with arrays or repeated addition to see the difference clearly
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 × anything = 0
    Why it happens: Not understanding that zero groups means zero items
    Fix: Use the idea of "no groups" – 0 groups of 5 = 0 items
  • Mistake: Confusing 9 × 9 = 81 with 9 × 8 = 72
    Why it happens: Similar answers and not using visual patterns
    Fix: Use a multiplication grid or chant to remember
  • Mistake: Not knowing 11 × 11 = 121
    Why it happens: Skipping practice with larger numbers
    Fix: Break it down: 10 × 11 = 110, then add 11 = 121

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child learn times tables doesn't have to be hard or boring. Here's how you can support them in just 5-10 minutes:

  • Use everyday situations like shopping or cooking to talk about multiplication
  • Play games like "Multiplication War" with a deck of cards
  • Use arrays or drawings to show how multiplication works
  • Encourage your child to find patterns in the times tables
  • Don't worry if they don't know all facts right away – practice makes progress

What to say:

  • "Let's count how many wheels there are on 4 cars"
  • "How many legs do 3 cats have?"
  • "We're sharing 12 cookies between 4 people – how many does each get?"

What not to do:

  • Don't make it feel like a test or punishment
  • Don't rush or compare to other children
  • Don't say "just memorize it" – help them understand the idea

Practice questions

  1. What is 7 × 6?
    Answer: 42
  2. What is 9 × 8?
    Answer: 72
  3. What is 12 × 5?
    Answer: 60
  4. What is 0 × 11?
    Answer: 0
  5. What is 10 × 10?
    Answer: 100

FAQ

What is the easiest times table to learn?

The 1, 2, 5, and 10 times tables are usually the easiest because they follow simple patterns.

How can I help my child learn times tables quickly?

Use games, songs, visual patterns, and real-life examples. Practice a few minutes every day rather than one long session.

Should I teach all times tables at once?

No, it's better to focus on one table at a time. Start with 1, 2, 5, 10, then move to 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12.

What if my child still forgets their times tables?

That's normal! Keep practicing with different methods. Use arrays, skip counting, and games to help them remember.

Are times tables useful in real life?

Yes! They help with shopping, cooking, planning, and many other daily activities.