1 times table mastery checklist
A simple checklist covering understanding, practice, recall and mixed application for the 1 times table.
Quick answer
You can master the 1 times table by understanding that multiplying by 1 always gives you the same number, practising regularly, and using this knowledge to solve problems quickly and confidently.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to multiply any number by 1 and know the answer instantly, showing you understand that 1 times anything equals that number.Success signs:
- You can say the 1 times table from 0 to 12 without stopping
- You can solve 1 times table problems quickly and correctly
- You can use 1 times table facts to help solve bigger maths problems
- You can explain why multiplying by 1 doesn't change a number
Why this matters
The 1 times table is the foundation for understanding multiplication. It helps you:- Build confidence in maths
- Understand how multiplication works
- Learn other times tables more easily
- Solve problems faster
In real life, you use the 1 times table when you count things one by one, when you have one group of items, or when you're sharing equally with one person.
How it works
Multiplying by 1 is like having one group of something. No matter how many items are in that group, when you have just one group, you still have all the items.Let's think about this:
- 1 × 1 = 1 (one group of one apple)
- 1 × 2 = 2 (one group of two apples)
- 1 × 3 = 3 (one group of three apples)
- 1 × 10 = 10 (one group of ten apples)
This pattern continues all the way up to 12. When you multiply any number by 1, you get that same number back.
Examples you can see
Here are the 1 times table facts from 0 to 12:
| 1 × 0 | 1 × 1 | 1 × 2 | 1 × 3 | 1 × 4 | 1 × 5 | 1 × 6 | 1 × 7 | 1 × 8 | 1 × 9 | 1 × 10 | 1 × 11 | 1 × 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Let's look at some real-life situations:
Example 1: Sharing with one friend
You have 5 cookies and you want to share them equally with one friend. How many cookies does each person get?
5 ÷ 1 = 5 cookies per person
Or if you think about it as multiplication: 1 × 5 = 5 cookies total
Example 2: Counting your toys
You have 8 toy cars. You want to count how many cars you have. You count them one by one:
- 1 car
- 2 cars
- 3 cars
- 4 cars
- 5 cars
- 6 cars
- 7 cars
- 8 cars
This is the same as 1 × 8 = 8 cars
Example 3: Your age
When you are 7 years old, you can say:
1 × 7 = 7 years old
One group of seven years
Try it as a mini adventure
Imagine you are a space explorer on a mission to collect stars. Each star you collect counts as one star. You want to collect a total of 12 stars.
1st time: You collect 1 star
2nd time: You collect 1 more star
3rd time: You collect 1 more star
4th time: You collect 1 more star
5th time: You collect 1 more star
6th time: You collect 1 more star
7th time: You collect 1 more star
8th time: You collect 1 more star
9th time: You collect 1 more star
10th time: You collect 1 more star
11th time: You collect 1 more star
12th time: You collect 1 more star
How many stars did you collect in total?
12 × 1 = 12 stars
Great! You collected 12 stars. Now you can show your space mission log to your family and explain that 12 times 1 equals 12 because you collected 12 stars, one at a time.
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that 1 × 5 = 1 or 1 × 5 = 5
- Why it happens: Confusing multiplication by 1 with division by 1
- Fix: Remember that 1 × 5 means one group of five items, so you still have five items
- Mistake: Not knowing the pattern of the 1 times table
- Why it happens: Not practising the pattern regularly
- Fix: Practice saying the 1 times table out loud, or use flashcards
- Mistake: Thinking that 1 × 0 = 0 is confusing
- Why it happens: Zero can be tricky because it seems like nothing
- Fix: Think of it as one group of zero items, so you have zero items
Parent and carer guide
Help your child master the 1 times table in 5-10 minutes:
- Start with the facts: Sit with your child and go through 1 × 0 to 1 × 12 together. Say them out loud, then ask your child to repeat them.
- Use real objects: Use items like counters, blocks, or toys to show one group of different numbers. For example, one group of 4 blocks shows 1 × 4 = 4.
- Play a game: Make a quick game where you say a number and your child says what 1 × that number is. Take turns!
- Connect to daily life: Talk about times in your day when you use multiplication by 1, like counting your fingers (1 × 5 = 5 fingers), or how many times you eat in a day (1 × 3 = 3 meals).
- Be patient: Some children might need more time to understand the pattern. That's okay! Keep practising.
Remember: The 1 times table is about understanding that when you have one group of something, you still have that amount. It's a simple but important idea that helps with all multiplication later.
Practice questions
- 1 × 3 = ?
- 1 × 7 = ?
- 1 × 12 = ?
- 1 × 0 = ?
- 1 × 9 = ?
- 1 × 5 = ?
- 1 × 10 = ?
- 1 × 4 = ?
- 1 × 8 = ?
- 1 × 11 = ?
Answers:
- 3
- 7
- 12
- 0
- 9
- 5
- 10
- 4
- 8
- 11
FAQ
What is the 1 times table?
The 1 times table is when you multiply any number by 1. The answer is always that same number.
Why is the 1 times table important?
The 1 times table helps you understand how multiplication works. It's the easiest multiplication fact and helps build confidence for learning other times tables.
Can I use the 1 times table to solve bigger problems?
Yes! Once you know 1 × 5 = 5, you can use that to help with 1 × 50 = 50 or 1 × 500 = 500. It's a helpful building block.
How can I practice the 1 times table?
You can practice by saying the table out loud, using flashcards, playing games, or counting real objects like toys or snacks.
What happens when you multiply by 1?
When you multiply by 1, you get the same number back. This is called the "identity property of multiplication."