X Tables
Age Guides

Maths skills for age 9

A clear guide to the main maths ideas children often meet around age 9, including all times tables, written multiplication, division with remainders, equivalent fractions.

Quick answer

By the end of this page, you’ll understand the main maths skills that children usually learn around age 9, including all times tables, written multiplication and division, and equivalent fractions.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to:
  • Multiply and divide numbers up to 1000 using written methods
  • Know all times tables from 1 to 12
  • Compare and simplify fractions to find equivalent ones
  • Solve real-world problems using these skills

Why this matters

At age 9, children are building strong maths skills that will help them in school and in everyday life. These skills include knowing times tables by heart, multiplying and dividing bigger numbers, and understanding how fractions work. These are important because they help you share things fairly, plan trips, cook recipes, and solve puzzles.

How it works

Learning these skills takes time and practice. You’ll start with smaller numbers and build up to larger ones. You’ll use visual tools like arrays and number lines to help you understand, then move to written methods. You’ll also learn how to spot when fractions are the same, even if they look different.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples to help you understand these skills. Times Tables
Here are all the times tables from 1 to 12, which children are expected to know by age 9: Times Table Facts (1 to 12)
Number123456789101112
0000000000000
1123456789101112
224681012141618202224
3369121518212427303336
44812162024283236404448
551015202530354045505560
661218243036424854606672
771421283542495663707784
881624324048566472808896
9918273645546372819099108
10102030405060708090100110120
11112233445566778899110121132
121224364860728496108120132144
Written Multiplication
Let’s try multiplying 24 by 3 using the written method:
  1. Write 24 and 3 in a column
  2. Multiply 4 by 3 = 12. Write 2, carry 1
  3. Multiply 2 by 3 = 6, add 1 = 7
  4. Answer: 72
Division with Remainders
If you have 25 sweets and want to share them equally among 4 friends:
  1. 25 divided by 4 = 6 with a remainder of 1
  2. Each friend gets 6 sweets, and 1 is left over
Equivalent Fractions
Here’s how to find equivalent fractions:
  1. Start with 1/2
  2. Multiply both numerator and denominator by 2: 1 × 2 = 2, 2 × 2 = 4
  3. So 1/2 = 2/4

Try it as a mini adventure

The Great Cake Challenge
You and your 3 friends are planning a birthday party. You want to make a big cake that can be shared equally among everyone. The cake recipe says it makes 12 slices. You have 4 people in total (including yourself). How many slices does each person get?
  1. How many slices are there in total? 12
  2. How many people are there? 4
  3. What is 12 divided by 4? 3
  4. Each person gets 3 slices
Now, if you want to make 2 cakes, how many slices will there be? What if you invite 2 more friends? What happens to the number of slices per person?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to carry numbers in multiplication
    Why it happens: Kids get distracted when doing written maths
    Fix: Always double-check that you’ve added any carried numbers
  • Mistake: Thinking that 1/3 is bigger than 1/2
    Why it happens: Children focus on the top number (numerator) instead of the whole
    Fix: Use visual fraction models or draw circles to show how much each fraction is
  • Mistake: Not writing remainders clearly in division
    Why it happens: Confusion about what to do with the leftover amount
    Fix: Always write “remainder” and the number after the answer

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Practising times tables together every day using games or flashcards
  • Using real-life examples like sharing food or counting money
  • Encouraging your child to explain their thinking when solving problems
  • Checking their work to help them catch mistakes early
  • Not pressuring them to memorise quickly – learning takes time

Practice questions

  1. What is 8 × 7?
  2. What is 45 ÷ 6? Write the remainder.
  3. Find a fraction equivalent to 3/4
  4. What is 24 × 5?
  5. What is 100 ÷ 8? Write the remainder.
Answers:
  1. 56
  2. 7 remainder 3
  3. 6/8 (or 9/12, etc.)
  4. 120
  5. 12 remainder 4

FAQ

What are the most important maths skills for a 9-year-old?
At age 9, children should be confident with all times tables, be able to multiply and divide larger numbers, and understand how fractions work.

How can I help my child learn their times tables?
Use songs, games, flashcards, and real-life examples like counting items in groups. Practice a few times a day for short periods.

Why is it important to understand equivalent fractions?
Equivalent fractions help you compare and simplify fractions. They are useful when cooking, sharing, or solving problems.

What if my child finds division with remainders difficult?
Start with small numbers and use physical objects like counters or blocks to show how sharing works.

How can I make maths fun for my child?
Use games, cooking, puzzles, and everyday situations like shopping or planning trips to show how maths is useful.