X Tables
Times Table Methods

How to learn 6 × 7

Collect multiple strategies and memory hooks for one famous tricky fact.

Quick answer

6 × 7 = 42 – there are many helpful ways to learn this tricky times table fact, including using your fingers, arrays, repeated addition, and memory hooks.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know several ways to learn and remember 6 × 7 = 42, and you will be able to use these methods to solve other multiplication problems too. Success signs:
  • You can quickly say 6 × 7 = 42
  • You can show 6 × 7 using objects or drawings
  • You can use a strategy like repeated addition or skip counting to find 6 × 7
  • You can solve a word problem that uses 6 × 7

Why this matters

Multiplication is a powerful way to solve problems quickly. When you know that 6 × 7 = 42, you can solve many real-life problems faster, like:
  • Buying 6 packs of 7 stickers for a school project
  • Sharing 42 sweets equally between 6 friends
  • Planning 6 rows of 7 chairs for a party
Knowing times tables helps you do maths more easily and gives you a strong base for learning more advanced maths in the future.

How it works

Multiplication is like making equal groups. When you multiply 6 × 7, you are making 6 groups of 7 items each.
  • One way to think of it is: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 42
  • Another way is to use a grid or array, like 6 rows of 7 dots
  • You can also use your fingers or skip count by 7s six times
We will explore these methods to help you learn 6 × 7.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some fun ways to understand 6 × 7 = 42: 1. Equal groups with objects Imagine you have 6 boxes, and each box has 7 pencils. How many pencils do you have altogether?
  • Box 1: 7 pencils
  • Box 2: 7 pencils
  • Box 3: 7 pencils
  • Box 4: 7 pencils
  • Box 5: 7 pencils
  • Box 6: 7 pencils
That’s 6 groups of 7 = 42 pencils. 2. Array or grid Draw a rectangle with 6 rows and 7 columns. Count all the squares:
  • Row 1: 7 squares
  • Row 2: 7 squares
  • Row 3: 7 squares
  • Row 4: 7 squares
  • Row 5: 7 squares
  • Row 6: 7 squares
Total = 42 squares. 3. Repeated addition 6 × 7 is the same as adding 7 six times:
  • 7 + 7 = 14
  • 14 + 7 = 21
  • 21 + 7 = 28
  • 28 + 7 = 35
  • 35 + 7 = 42
4. Skip counting Count by 7s six times:
  • 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42
So 6 × 7 = 42. 5. Memory hook A fun way to remember: “6 times 7 is 42, and 42 is the number of days in June.” (June has 30 days, but 42 is close – it helps you remember 6 × 7 = 42.)

Try it as a mini adventure

The 6 × 7 Treasure Hunt You are on a treasure hunt! You must find 6 chests, and each chest has 7 gold coins. How many coins do you collect?
  • 1st chest: 7 coins
  • 2nd chest: 7 coins
  • 3rd chest: 7 coins
  • 4th chest: 7 coins
  • 5th chest: 7 coins
  • 6th chest: 7 coins
Add them up: 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 42 coins! You can also draw 6 rows of 7 stars to show this. How many stars do you draw in total?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 6 × 7 = 48
  • Why it happens: Confusing with 6 × 8 = 48 or 7 × 7 = 49
  • Fix: Use repeated addition or a visual array to check: 6 × 7 = 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 42
  • Mistake: Mixing up 6 × 7 and 7 × 6
  • Why it happens: Not knowing that multiplication is commutative (order doesn’t matter)
  • Fix: Remember that 6 × 7 = 7 × 6 = 42
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 6 × 7 = 42 because it’s a tricky fact
  • Why it happens: Not using memory tricks or practice
  • Fix: Use skip counting, visual models, or write it down several times

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child learn 6 × 7 by:
  • Using everyday situations like sharing 42 cookies among 6 friends
  • Practising skip counting by 7s together
  • Using arrays or drawings to show 6 × 7
  • Playing games like “What’s the answer?” with flashcards
  • Repeating the fact often: “6 × 7 = 42, 6 × 7 = 42”
Don’t worry if your child doesn’t get it the first time – repetition and fun help make it stick!

Practice questions

  1. What is 6 × 7?
  2. Draw an array to show 6 × 7.
  3. Use repeated addition to find 6 × 7.
  4. How many groups of 7 are in 42?
  5. If 6 × 7 = 42, what is 7 × 6?
Answers:
  1. 42
  2. Draw 6 rows of 7 dots or squares
  3. 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 42
  4. 6 groups
  5. 42

FAQ

Why is 6 × 7 so hard to remember?

It’s one of the trickier times table facts because it’s not a double or a 10s fact. It’s a good idea to use visual or memory strategies to help.

Can I use my fingers to learn 6 × 7?

Yes! You can use your fingers to count by 7s, or use your hands to help with skip counting.

What are some real-life uses for 6 × 7?

You might use it when planning a party, sharing items, or counting things in rows and columns.

How can I practice 6 × 7 at home?

Try skip counting, drawing arrays, or playing multiplication games with flashcards or online tools.

Is 6 × 7 the same as 7 × 6?

Yes! Both equal 42. This is called the commutative property of multiplication.

6 times table facts
6 × 0 6 × 1 6 × 2 6 × 3 6 × 4 6 × 5 6 × 6 6 × 7 6 × 8 6 × 9 6 × 10 6 × 11 6 × 12
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72