X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

2 times table in real life: eyes on faces

Use eyes on faces to make the 2 times table concrete, funny and memorable.

Quick answer

When you look at faces, you see 2 eyes on each face. So 2 times table in real life is counting in 2s by faces and eyes!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to multiply any number by 2 by thinking about how many eyes you see on faces, and you will know your 2 times table from 0 to 12. Success signs:
  • You can count in 2s quickly and easily
  • You can work out 2 x 5, 2 x 8, 2 x 12, etc. without counting
  • You can see 2 times table patterns in faces around you
  • You can use 2 times table to solve real problems

Why this matters

The 2 times table is one of the first multiplication tables you learn. It helps you understand how many groups of 2 there are in a number. When you see 2 eyes on each face, you can quickly work out how many eyes there are in total – whether it's 2 eyes on 1 face, 4 eyes on 2 faces, or 24 eyes on 12 faces. This helps you understand multiplication, and it’s useful in games, sports, and everyday life. You'll use it when you're sharing items, counting pairs of socks, or even when you're counting how many times you jump or clap.

How it works

Multiplying by 2 is the same as adding the same number twice. For example:
  • 2 x 3 means 3 + 3 = 6
  • 2 x 5 means 5 + 5 = 10
  • 2 x 10 means 10 + 10 = 20
You can also think of it as "double" the number. So 2 x 7 = 14 because 7 doubled is 14. When you look at faces, each face has 2 eyes. So:
  • 1 face = 2 eyes
  • 2 faces = 4 eyes
  • 3 faces = 6 eyes
  • 4 faces = 8 eyes
This is a fun way to count in 2s and learn your 2 times table!

Examples you can see

Here are some real-life examples of the 2 times table using eyes on faces:
Number of Faces Eyes on Each Face Total Eyes Number Sentence
0 2 0 0 x 2 = 0
1 2 2 1 x 2 = 2
2 2 4 2 x 2 = 4
3 2 6 3 x 2 = 6
4 2 8 4 x 2 = 8
5 2 10 5 x 2 = 10
6 2 12 6 x 2 = 12
7 2 14 7 x 2 = 14
8 2 16 8 x 2 = 16
9 2 18 9 x 2 = 18
10 2 20 10 x 2 = 20
11 2 22 11 x 2 = 22
12 2 24 12 x 2 = 24
Try this: Look around your room. Count how many people are there. Multiply by 2 to see how many eyes you can see.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Eyes on Faces You are on a mission to count all the eyes in your house! You must go on a special eye hunt. 1st time: Look at yourself in the mirror. How many eyes do you see? 2 eyes 2nd time: Look at your family members. Count how many people you see. Multiply by 2 to find the total number of eyes. 3rd time: Go outside. Count how many people you see. Multiply by 2 to find how many eyes you see in total. 4th time: Count how many pairs of eyes you see in a group of friends or family. Use the 2 times table to help you! 5th time: Draw a picture of 5 faces. How many eyes are there? 10 eyes Challenge: Can you count to 24 eyes using 12 faces? What about 30 eyes? How many faces would that be?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 2 x 3 = 5 instead of 6.
    Why it happens: Confusing multiplication with addition.
    Fix: Use the 2 times table pattern or draw 3 pairs of eyes to count.
  • Mistake: Counting by 1s instead of 2s when multiplying by 2.
    Why it happens: Not knowing the pattern of 2s.
    Fix: Practice counting in 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 2 x 0 = 0.
    Why it happens: Not understanding that 0 groups of 2 is 0.
    Fix: Visualise 0 faces. How many eyes? 0 eyes.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers, here's how you can help your child learn the 2 times table using faces and eyes:
  • Play the “Eyes on Faces” game with your child. Count how many eyes you see when looking at people.
  • Use your child’s toys or dolls to make 2 eyes on each face and count the total eyes.
  • Practice counting in 2s together, using your fingers or a number line.
  • Ask questions like: “If there are 6 faces, how many eyes are there?”
  • Encourage your child to draw faces and count eyes to make the learning fun.
  • Don’t worry if your child gets it wrong – it's a learning process!

Practice questions

  1. How many eyes are on 3 faces? 6 eyes
  2. How many eyes are on 7 faces? 14 eyes
  3. How many eyes are on 10 faces? 20 eyes
  4. How many eyes are on 12 faces? 24 eyes
  5. How many eyes are on 5 faces? 10 eyes
  6. How many eyes are on 9 faces? 18 eyes
  7. How many eyes are on 4 faces? 8 eyes
  8. How many eyes are on 11 faces? 22 eyes
  9. How many eyes are on 2 faces? 4 eyes
  10. How many eyes are on 0 faces? 0 eyes

FAQ

How does counting eyes help with learning the 2 times table?

Counting eyes helps because each face has 2 eyes. So when you see 3 faces, you know there are 3 groups of 2 eyes. This makes it easier to understand that 3 x 2 = 6.

Can I use this method for other numbers too?

Yes! You can use this same idea for any multiplication. For example, if you see 4 faces and each has 3 eyes, you can count 4 x 3 = 12 eyes.

Why is it important to learn the 2 times table?

The 2 times table helps you understand doubling, which is useful in everyday life like sharing cookies, counting pairs of socks, or working out how many legs there are on animals.

What if my child doesn’t like this method?

That’s okay! Try other methods like using fingers, drawing arrays, or singing times table songs. The goal is to help them understand, not to make them feel stressed.

How can I make learning the 2 times table fun?

Make it into a game! Count eyes on faces, play “2s jump” on a number line, or use toys to make 2 eyes on each face. You can also use apps or videos that teach multiplication in fun ways.