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Times Table Methods
1 times table with arrays and pictures

Times Table Methods

1 times table with arrays and pictures

Use dots, rows, columns and pictures to show what 1 groups really mean.

Quick answer

Multiplying any number by 1 gives you that number back. When you use arrays or pictures, you're showing one group of that number - like one row of 5 dots or one column of 8 dots.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand that multiplying any number by 1 means you have one group of that number, and you can show this clearly using arrays, pictures, and real-life examples. Success signs:

You can draw arrays to show 1 times any number
You can explain that 1 times 5 means one group of 5
You can solve 1 times table problems using pictures
You can see how 1 times any number equals that number

Why this matters

The 1 times table is super important because it helps you understand how multiplication works. When you multiply by 1, you're not changing the number - you're just showing it in a different way. This makes it easier to understand bigger multiplication problems later on. You'll use this knowledge when you're sharing snacks, counting your toys, or even playing games where you need to know how many items you have in one group.

How it works

Multiplying by 1 is like saying "one group of" something. When you see 1 × 4, it means one group of four items. You can show this using:

Dots or stars in a row
Items arranged in a line
Arrays with one row
Columns with one column

Let's build one group of items to see how this works:

Start with any number, for example, 5
Make one group of 5 items
Count them: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
That's 1 × 5 = 5

Examples you can see

Let's look at how arrays help us understand the 1 times table. Arrays are like rows and columns of objects.

1 times 1

Imagine one row with one star:

★

So 1 × 1 = 1

1 times 3

Here's one row with three stars:

★

So 1 × 3 = 3

1 times 6

One row with six stars:

★

So 1 × 6 = 6

1 times 10

One row with ten stars:

★

So 1 × 10 = 10

1 times 12

One row with twelve stars:

★

So 1 × 12 = 12

1 times 0

One row with zero stars:

So 1 × 0 = 0

Try it as a mini adventure

You are a space explorer who needs to collect exactly one type of alien fruit on each planet you visit. Your spaceship has a special container that holds one row of fruits. Your mission: Collect one row of fruits on each planet. Planet 1: Collect 1 × 1 = ? fruits Planet 2: Collect 1 × 2 = ? fruits Planet 3: Collect 1 × 3 = ? fruits Planet 4: Collect 1 × 4 = ? fruits Planet 5: Collect 1 × 5 = ? fruits Planet 6: Collect 1 × 6 = ? fruits Planet 7: Collect 1 × 7 = ? fruits Planet 8: Collect 1 × 8 = ? fruits Planet 9: Collect 1 × 9 = ? fruits Planet 10: Collect 1 × 10 = ? fruits Planet 11: Collect 1 × 11 = ? fruits Planet 12: Collect 1 × 12 = ? fruits Each planet gives you one row of the exact number of fruits you need. How many fruits do you collect on each planet? You can draw the rows or use counters to help you.

Common mistakes

Mistake: Thinking 1 × 5 = 5 + 1 = 6
Why it happens: Confusing multiplication with addition
Fix: Remember that 1 × 5 means one group of 5, so it's just 5
Mistake: Drawing 5 rows of 1 item instead of 1 row of 5 items
Why it happens: Not understanding "one group" correctly
Fix: Count carefully - one group means one row or one column
Mistake: Saying 1 × 0 = 1
Why it happens: Thinking "one group" means "one item"
Fix: Zero items in one group = 0

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child understand the 1 times table is simple and fun. Here are some ways you can support them:

Use everyday objects like counters, buttons, or toys to make one row of different numbers
Ask your child to show you 1 × 4 by making one row of 4 items
Play the "one group game" - ask them to make one row of 3 apples, then 1 × 3 = 3
Notice when they're using arrays naturally - like when they line up their toys
Don't worry if they get confused at first - it's normal!
Keep practice short and fun - 5-10 minutes of array drawing or counting

If your child says 1 × 5 = 6, gently remind them that one group of five is just five items, not five plus one. If they draw many rows instead of one row, help them count the rows and focus on making just one group.

Practice questions

Draw one row of 7 stars to show 1 × 7 = ?
How many dots are in one row of 9 dots? What is 1 × 9 = ?
Draw one column of 4 items to show 1 × 4 = ?
1 × 0 = ?
What is 1 × 12 = ?

Answers:

7 stars in one row
9 dots, 1 × 9 = 9
4 items in one column
1 × 0 = 0
1 × 12 = 12

1 times table facts

1 × 0	1 × 1	1 × 2	1 × 3	1 × 4	1 × 5
0	1	2	3	4	5

1 × 6	1 × 7	1 × 8	1 × 9	1 × 10	1 × 11
6	7	8	9	10	11

1 × 12
12

FAQ

Why is multiplying by 1 special?

Multiplying by 1 is special because it's like saying "I have exactly one group of that number." It's the simplest multiplication you can do and helps you understand how bigger multiplication works.

How can I use arrays for 1 times table?

Arrays help you see one group of items. Draw one row with the number of items you want, or one column with that many items. This shows 1 × 5 = 5 clearly.

Can I use 1 times table in real life?

Yes! When you have one group of 3 apples, one group of 8 toys, or one group of 12 stickers, you're using the 1 times table.

What's the difference between 1 × 5 and 5 × 1?

Both equal 5, but they show different things. 1 × 5 means one group of 5 items, while 5 × 1 means 5 groups of 1 item each. They're the same total, but the way you think about it is different.

How do I remember the 1 times table?

Remember that multiplying by 1 means "one group of" the number. One group of 5 is just 5. One group of 0 is just 0. It's always the same number!