X Tables
Times Table Methods

Times table mistakes as learning clues

Teach children to analyse wrong answers and choose a better strategy next time.

Quick answer

When you make a mistake in a times table, it can help you learn what strategy to use next time. By checking your work and thinking about why you got it wrong, you can improve your maths skills.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to check your times table answers and understand why you might have made a mistake, so you can choose a better way to solve the problem next time. Success signs:
  • You can spot when a times table answer is wrong
  • You can explain why you made a mistake
  • You can choose a better way to solve a times table problem
  • You can check your answer with a different method

Why this matters

Knowing how to spot and fix your own mistakes helps you become a better maths learner. When you make a mistake in a times table, it's not the end of the story. It's a clue that helps you understand what to do next. This skill will help you in school, when you're doing puzzles, and when you're playing games that use numbers.

How it works

When you get a times table answer wrong, follow these steps:
  1. Look at the question again
  2. Think about how you solved it
  3. Try a different method to check
  4. Learn from your mistake

Examples you can see

Let’s look at a few examples of times table mistakes and how to fix them. Example 1: A child says 6 × 7 = 42. But wait – that's actually correct! So, this isn't a mistake to fix. But what if the child said 6 × 7 = 48? That would be a mistake. Example 2: A child says 8 × 5 = 35. This is wrong. Let's check with a different method. We can think of 8 × 5 as 8 groups of 5. If we count: 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 40 So, 8 × 5 = 40, not 35. Example 3: A child says 9 × 6 = 56. This is wrong. We can check by adding 9 six times: 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 54 So, 9 × 6 = 54, not 56.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a maths treasure hunt! You are a detective solving a mystery about times tables. Your mission: Find the wrong answers and fix them. Step 1: Look at this list of times table answers: 5 × 4 = 20 6 × 7 = 42 8 × 5 = 35 9 × 6 = 56 3 × 8 = 24 Step 2: Check each one. Is it right or wrong? Step 3: Fix the wrong ones using a different method. Step 4: Explain why you think the answer was wrong and what you did to fix it. Step 5: Write down your detective report.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 7 × 8 = 54 Why it happens: Confusing it with 7 × 7 = 49 or 8 × 8 = 64 Fix: Use repeated addition: 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 56
  • Mistake: Thinking 6 × 6 = 36 Why it happens: This is actually correct, but children might be unsure Fix: Double-check with an array or repeated addition
  • Mistake: Thinking 10 × 10 = 100 Why it happens: It’s easy to confuse with 10 + 10 = 20 Fix: Use the pattern: 10 × 10 = 100 (because 10 groups of 10 = 100)
  • Mistake: Thinking 12 × 5 = 60 Why it happens: Children might forget that 12 × 5 is the same as 10 × 5 + 2 × 5 Fix: Break it into 10 × 5 = 50 and 2 × 5 = 10, so 50 + 10 = 60

Parent and carer guide

If your child makes a times table mistake, don’t just say “wrong!” Instead, ask questions like:
  • “Can you show me how you worked that out?”
  • “What other way could we try to solve it?”
  • “Let’s check this together.”
This helps your child think about their process and learn from the mistake. It's okay if they get confused – that's how learning happens. Keep the mood light and encouraging. Remember, a mistake is a clue, not a failure.

Practice questions

  1. Is 7 × 8 = 56 correct? Answer: Yes
  2. Is 9 × 7 = 63 correct? Answer: Yes
  3. Is 6 × 9 = 54 correct? Answer: Yes
  4. Is 8 × 6 = 48 correct? Answer: Yes
  5. Is 5 × 11 = 55 correct? Answer: Yes
  6. Is 12 × 4 = 48 correct? Answer: Yes
  7. Is 10 × 7 = 70 correct? Answer: Yes
  8. Is 3 × 12 = 36 correct? Answer: Yes
  9. Is 4 × 10 = 40 correct? Answer: Yes
  10. Is 11 × 5 = 55 correct? Answer: Yes

FAQ

Why is it helpful to look at mistakes in times tables?

Looking at mistakes helps you understand how you think and learn better. It shows you what strategy works and what doesn’t, so you can get better at maths.

How can I help my child learn from a mistake?

Ask them to explain how they solved it. Then try a different way together. This helps them see the maths from different angles.

Is it okay to make mistakes in maths?

Yes, it’s totally okay! Making mistakes is part of learning. They help you grow your brain and get better at maths.

What should I do if my child keeps making the same mistake?

Try different ways to learn the same times table – like drawing arrays, using fingers, or singing a song. Keep practicing, but don’t pressure your child.

How can I make times table practice fun?

Use games, songs, or real-life examples like counting pizza slices or toys. Make it like a game, not a chore.

Times table facts (7 times table)

7 × 0 7 × 1 7 × 2 7 × 3 7 × 4 7 × 5 7 × 6 7 × 7 7 × 8 7 × 9 7 × 10 7 × 11 7 × 12
0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70 77 84