X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

6 times table in real life: dice faces

Use dice faces to make the 6 times table concrete, funny and memorable.

Quick answer

You can use dice faces to help learn the 6 times table by counting the dots on each die and grouping them together. For example, if you roll 3 dice, you have 3 groups of 6 dots, which is 3 × 6 = 18 dots in total.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know how to use dice faces to help you learn and remember the 6 times table. Success signs:
  • You can count dots on a dice quickly and accurately.
  • You can make groups of 6 dots and add them up.
  • You can solve 6 times table problems using dice.
  • You can use dice to show how multiplication works.

Why this matters

The 6 times table is useful in many ways. It helps you count things quickly, like how many legs a spider has (8 legs, but 6 times table helps with 6 legs if you think about a hexagon or a die with 6 sides). It's also helpful in games, like board games where you roll dice and need to count the dots quickly. Learning it with dice makes it more fun and easier to remember.

How it works

When you roll a dice, it shows a number of dots from 1 to 6. If you roll 2 dice, you have 2 groups of 6 dots. If you roll 3 dice, you have 3 groups of 6 dots. So, you can use dice to show multiplication by 6. For example:
  • 1 die = 1 group of 6 = 1 × 6 = 6
  • 2 dice = 2 groups of 6 = 2 × 6 = 12
  • 3 dice = 3 groups of 6 = 3 × 6 = 18
Each die has 6 dots, so if you roll 4 dice, you have 4 groups of 6 dots = 4 × 6 = 24 dots.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at how dice can help you understand the 6 times table. Here are some examples using dice: 6 Times Table Using Dice Faces
Dice Rolled Dots per Die Total Dots Number Sentence
1 die 6 dots 6 dots 1 × 6 = 6
2 dice 6 dots each 12 dots 2 × 6 = 12
3 dice 6 dots each 18 dots 3 × 6 = 18
4 dice 6 dots each 24 dots 4 × 6 = 24
5 dice 6 dots each 30 dots 5 × 6 = 30
6 dice 6 dots each 36 dots 6 × 6 = 36
7 dice 6 dots each 42 dots 7 × 6 = 42
8 dice 6 dots each 48 dots 8 × 6 = 48
9 dice 6 dots each 54 dots 9 × 6 = 54
10 dice 6 dots each 60 dots 10 × 6 = 60
11 dice 6 dots each 66 dots 11 × 6 = 66
12 dice 6 dots each 72 dots 12 × 6 = 72

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a dice adventure! Imagine you are a detective and you find a treasure chest. To open it, you must roll dice and count the dots to solve the 6 times table. Each roll of the dice gives you a group of 6 dots. Here’s your detective mission:
  1. Roll 1 die: You see 6 dots. That’s 1 group of 6. 1 × 6 = 6.
  2. Roll 2 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 2 groups of 6. 2 × 6 = 12.
  3. Roll 3 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 3 groups of 6. 3 × 6 = 18.
  4. Roll 4 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 4 groups of 6. 4 × 6 = 24.
  5. Roll 5 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 5 groups of 6. 5 × 6 = 30.
  6. Roll 6 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 6 groups of 6. 6 × 6 = 36.
  7. Roll 7 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 7 groups of 6. 7 × 6 = 42.
  8. Roll 8 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 8 groups of 6. 8 × 6 = 48.
  9. Roll 9 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 9 groups of 6. 9 × 6 = 54.
  10. Roll 10 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 10 groups of 6. 10 × 6 = 60.
  11. Roll 11 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 11 groups of 6. 11 × 6 = 66.
  12. Roll 12 dice: You see 6 dots on each die. That’s 12 groups of 6. 12 × 6 = 72.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 6 × 6 = 36, but confusing it with 6 + 6 = 12.
    Why it happens: Confusing addition with multiplication.
    Fix: Remember that multiplication is repeated addition. So 6 × 6 means 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 36.
  • Mistake: Counting dots on a die wrong.
    Why it happens: Not paying attention or getting confused.
    Fix: Count carefully, and use your fingers or a dice to help you.
  • Mistake: Mixing up 6 × 7 and 6 × 8.
    Why it happens: Not memorising the facts yet.
    Fix: Practice with dice and write out the facts to help remember.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Playing dice games with their child to practice the 6 times table.
  • Using real dice to count dots and make groups of 6.
  • Encouraging the child to say the number sentences out loud, like “2 dice = 2 groups of 6 = 12”.
  • Practising the 6 times table in a fun way, such as using dice to make a board game or a dice race.
  • Not worrying if the child makes mistakes, as this is part of learning.

Practice questions

  1. How many dots are there if you roll 3 dice?
  2. What is 6 × 4?
  3. If you roll 5 dice, how many dots do you have?
  4. What is 6 × 7?
  5. How many dots are there if you roll 10 dice?
Answers:
  1. 18 dots
  2. 24
  3. 30 dots
  4. 42
  5. 60 dots

FAQ

How can I use dice to learn the 6 times table?

You can roll dice and count the dots. Each die shows 6 dots. If you roll 3 dice, you have 3 groups of 6 dots, which is 3 × 6 = 18 dots.

Why is learning the 6 times table useful?

It helps you count quickly, solve problems, and is useful in games and real-life situations like sharing or buying things.

What if I get confused with 6 × 6?

Remember that 6 × 6 means 6 groups of 6. So 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 36.

Can I use dice to make a game?

Yes! You can make a game where you roll dice and add up the dots. You can also make a race where the first person to get a certain number of dots wins.

What if I don’t have dice at home?

You can draw dice on paper or use any small objects like counters or blocks to make groups of 6.