X Tables
Times Table Methods

10 times table with arrays and pictures

Use dots, rows, columns and pictures to show what 10 groups really mean.

Quick answer

When you multiply by 10, you are making 10 equal groups of something. You can show this with arrays using rows and columns of dots or objects. For example, 3 × 10 means 3 rows of 10 dots each.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to use arrays of dots and pictures to show multiplication by 10, and you will be able to solve 10 times table problems using equal groups. Success signs:
  • You can draw 10 rows with the same number of dots in each row.
  • You can count how many dots there are in total when you have 10 groups.
  • You can solve multiplication problems like 4 × 10 or 7 × 10 using arrays.
  • You can explain how 10 × 5 is the same as 5 × 10 using pictures.

Why this matters

Arrays help you see multiplication clearly. They are useful for:
  • Learning your 10 times table quickly
  • Understanding how multiplication works
  • Using multiplication in real life, like counting money or sharing snacks
  • Building strong maths skills for bigger numbers

How it works

Arrays are a way to show multiplication using rows and columns of objects. For the 10 times table:
  1. Draw rows of dots or objects
  2. Each row must have the same number of items
  3. There are always 10 rows
  4. Count all the items to find the total
For example, to show 4 × 10:
  • Draw 4 rows
  • Each row has 10 dots
  • Count all the dots

Examples you can see

Let’s use arrays to show 10 times table facts with pictures. 0 × 10 = 0
  • 0 rows of 10 dots = 0 dots
  • No groups = no dots
1 × 10 = 10
  • 1 row with 10 dots = 10 dots
  • 10 dots in a line
2 × 10 = 20
  • 2 rows with 10 dots each = 20 dots
  • 10 dots, then 10 dots
3 × 10 = 30
  • 3 rows with 10 dots each = 30 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
4 × 10 = 40
  • 4 rows with 10 dots each = 40 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
5 × 10 = 50
  • 5 rows with 10 dots each = 50 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
6 × 10 = 60
  • 6 rows with 10 dots each = 60 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
7 × 10 = 70
  • 7 rows with 10 dots each = 70 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
8 × 10 = 80
  • 8 rows with 10 dots each = 80 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
9 × 10 = 90
  • 9 rows with 10 dots each = 90 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
10 × 10 = 100
  • 10 rows with 10 dots each = 100 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
11 × 10 = 110
  • 11 rows with 10 dots each = 110 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots
12 × 10 = 120
  • 12 rows with 10 dots each = 120 dots
  • 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots, 10 dots

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Magic 10 Garden You are a gardener who has a magical garden. Every time you plant a row, you grow 10 magical flowers. You want to know how many flowers you will have after planting different numbers of rows. Step 1: Plant 1 row of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 10 Step 2: Plant 2 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 20 Step 3: Plant 3 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 30 Step 4: Plant 4 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 40 Step 5: Plant 5 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 50 Step 6: Plant 6 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 60 Step 7: Plant 7 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 70 Step 8: Plant 8 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 80 Step 9: Plant 9 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 90 Step 10: Plant 10 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 100 Step 11: Plant 11 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 110 Step 12: Plant 12 rows of 10 flowers. How many flowers do you have? 120 Draw your garden with arrays for each step. You can use dots, stars, or flowers to show the rows.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 10 × 3 = 30, but then counting the rows instead of the dots.
    Why it happens: The child sees 3 rows but forgets to count all the dots.
    Fix: Count each dot in every row. You can point to each dot as you count.
  • Mistake: Confusing 10 × 4 with 10 + 4.
    Why it happens: The child mixes up multiplication and addition.
    Fix: Use arrays to show that 10 × 4 means 10 groups of 4, not 10 plus 4.
  • Mistake: Drawing 4 rows with 10 dots, but making the dots in each row different.
    Why it happens: The child doesn’t understand that groups must be equal.
    Fix: Make sure each row has exactly the same number of dots.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 10 × 0 = 0.
    Why it happens: The child thinks there must be something to count.
    Fix: Explain that 0 groups of 10 is still 0.

Parent and carer guide

Here’s how you can help your child learn the 10 times table using arrays:
  • Draw arrays together using stickers, coins, or toys
  • Ask your child to explain how they counted their dots
  • Play a game: "How many dots do you see in 5 rows of 10?"
  • Use everyday objects like pencils, blocks, or buttons
  • Encourage your child to draw their own arrays for different numbers
  • Ask questions like "What happens when you double 10?" or "What is 10 × 6?"
  • Use the 10 times table facts to build up to bigger numbers
  • Don’t worry if they get confused at first – arrays help them see the pattern
  • Use a timer to make it fun – challenge them to draw 3 arrays in 2 minutes
  • Notice if they’re using skip counting or counting by tens

Practice questions

  1. Draw 3 rows of 10 dots. How many dots are there in total?
  2. What is 6 × 10?
  3. Draw 9 rows of 10 dots. How many dots are there?
  4. What is 10 × 2?
  5. Draw 12 rows of 10 dots. How many dots are there?
  6. What is 10 × 11?
  7. Draw 1 row of 10 dots. How many dots are there?
  8. What is 10 × 0?
  9. Draw 5 rows of 10 dots. How many dots are there?
  10. What is 10 × 8?
Answers:
  1. 30 dots
  2. 60
  3. 90 dots
  4. 20
  5. 120 dots
  6. 110
  7. 10 dots
  8. 0
  9. 50 dots
  10. 80

FAQ

What is the 10 times table?

The 10 times table shows what happens when you multiply any number by 10. For example, 1 × 10 = 10, 2 × 10 = 20, and so on.

Why does multiplying by 10 add a zero?

When you multiply by 10, you are making 10 equal groups. If you have 5 items in each group, you get 50 items total. You can also think of it as shifting the digits one place to the left and adding a zero at the end.

Can I use arrays for all times tables?

Yes! Arrays work for any multiplication. For example, 3 × 4 can be shown as 3 rows of 4 dots. Arrays help you see how multiplication works.

How can I practice the 10 times table?

You can practice by drawing arrays, using objects like counters or blocks, chanting the table, or playing games with multiplication cards.

Is 10 × 0 = 0?

Yes! Any number multiplied by 0 equals 0. So 10 × 0 = 0 because you have 0 groups of 10.