How to learn 8 × 9

Quick answer

You can learn 8 × 9 = 72 by using patterns, counting strategies, or by thinking of it as 8 groups of 9 items. A helpful trick is to think of it as 9 groups of 8, or use the "one less group" method where you calculate 8 × 10 = 80 and then take away 8 to get 72.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know how to find 8 × 9 using different methods and will be able to remember it quickly for maths problems.

• You can use repeated addition to find 8 × 9
• You can use the "one less group" strategy to make 8 × 9 easier
• You can see patterns in the 9 times table to help you remember
• You can check your answer using a different method

Why this matters

Knowing your times tables helps you solve bigger maths problems quickly. When you learn 8 × 9 = 72, you are building a strong maths foundation. This skill helps you in:

• Shopping – working out how much 8 toys cost if each costs 9 pounds
• Games – scoring points in football or board games
• Building – working out how many blocks you need to make 8 rows of 9 blocks
• Time – calculating how many minutes in 8 hours

Even when you grow up, knowing times tables helps you do maths faster and with more confidence.

How it works

Let’s break down how to learn 8 × 9 step by step:

1. Repeated addition: 8 × 9 means 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9. Add 9 eight times to get 72.
2. Arrays: Imagine 8 rows of 9 items. Count all the items in the grid to get 72.
3. One less group strategy: Think of 8 × 9 as 9 × 8. Or, think of 8 × 10 = 80, then take away 8 to get 72.
4. Patterns in the 9 times table: The digits of 9 × 1 to 9 × 9 add up to 9, and the tens digit increases while the units digit decreases.

Examples you can see

Here are some ways to imagine 8 × 9:

Example 1: Repeated addition

Imagine you have 8 boxes, and each box has 9 apples. How many apples do you have?

• Box 1: 9 apples
• Box 2: 9 apples
• Box 3: 9 apples
• Box 4: 9 apples
• Box 5: 9 apples
• Box 6: 9 apples
• Box 7: 9 apples
• Box 8: 9 apples

Add them all up: 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 72 apples

Example 2: Arrays

Draw a grid with 8 rows and 9 columns. Count all the squares:

There are 72 squares in total – that’s 8 × 9 = 72!

Example 3: One less group

Think of 8 × 9 as 9 × 8. Or, use 8 × 10 = 80, then subtract 8:

• 8 × 10 = 80
• 80 – 8 = 72

So, 8 × 9 = 72!

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Magic Number Hunt

You are on a treasure hunt. The map says, “To find the treasure, count 8 rows of 9 coins.”

How many coins do you need to collect?

1. First, count 9 coins in the first row
2. Then count 9 coins in the second row
3. Continue this until you have 8 rows
4. How many coins do you have in total?

Answer: 72 coins!

You can also try this with your toys or blocks – make 8 rows of 9 items and count them all!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking 8 × 9 = 71
• Why it happens: Mixing up the times table or making a small error in addition
• Fix: Use repeated addition or check with 9 × 8 = 72

• Mistake: Confusing 8 × 9 with 8 × 10
• Why it happens: Not remembering that 9 is one less than 10
• Fix: Use the one less group strategy: 8 × 10 = 80, then take away 8

• Mistake: Not seeing the pattern in the 9s table
• Why it happens: Not practicing or noticing the digits
• Fix: Look at the 9s table and notice how the digits add to 9

Parent and carer guide

Help your child learn 8 × 9 by:

• Practicing with repeated addition: Ask them to count 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9
• Using arrays: Draw 8 rows of 9 items and count together
• Using the one less group trick: Show that 8 × 9 = 8 × 10 – 8
• Repeating the pattern: Point out that 9 × 1 = 9, 9 × 2 = 18, and so on
• Encouraging them to say the facts out loud or write them down

Don’t worry if they get it wrong at first – it’s part of learning. Celebrate progress and keep practicing!

Practice questions

1. What is 8 × 9?
2. How many items are in 8 groups of 9?
3. Use the one less group method to solve 8 × 9
4. What is 9 × 8?
5. Find 8 × 9 using repeated addition

• Answers:
• 72
• 72
• 8 × 10 = 80, 80 – 8 = 72
• 72
• 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 72

FAQ

What is 8 × 9?

8 × 9 = 72

How can I remember 8 × 9?

You can use repeated addition, arrays, or the one less group method (9 × 10 = 90, then subtract 9 to get 81, or 8 × 10 = 80, then subtract 8 to get 72).

Why is 8 × 9 = 72?

Because 8 groups of 9 items make 72 in total. You can also think of it as 9 groups of 8, which is also 72.

Can I use 9 × 8 to help me with 8 × 9?

Yes! They are the same answer. 8 × 9 = 72 and 9 × 8 = 72.

What are some real-life uses for 8 × 9?

Buying 8 items that cost 9 pounds each, or counting 8 rows of 9 blocks in a game.

8 times table facts (0 to 12)