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Times Tables Real Life

Metric Measuring 10 times table adventure

A story-led page turning metric measuring into a junior adventure for practising the 10 times table.

Quick answer

When you multiply by 10, you move the digits one place to the left on the place value chart and add a zero at the end. This is the secret of the 10 times table, and it helps you measure things in metres, centimetres, and millimetres.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to multiply any number by 10 and use this to measure lengths in metres and centimetres. Success signs:
  • You can quickly say 7 x 10 = 70
  • You can measure a line and say it is 30 cm long
  • You can explain how multiplying by 10 makes numbers 10 times bigger
  • You can use your 10 times table to solve real-life measuring problems

Why this matters

Multiplying by 10 helps you understand how big things are. When you measure your height, your desk, or how far you walk, you use the 10 times table. It helps you understand how metres and centimetres relate to each other. This is useful for cooking, building, shopping, and even playing games!

How it works

When you multiply a number by 10, you are making that number 10 times bigger. You can think of it like this:
  • 1 x 10 = 10
  • 2 x 10 = 20
  • 3 x 10 = 30
  • 4 x 10 = 40
  • 5 x 10 = 50
  • 6 x 10 = 60
  • 7 x 10 = 70
  • 8 x 10 = 80
  • 9 x 10 = 90
  • 10 x 10 = 100
  • 11 x 10 = 110
  • 12 x 10 = 120
To help you remember, you can also think of it as adding a zero to the end of any number.

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you are on a measuring adventure. You have a ruler and you want to measure your desk. Your desk is 50 cm long. That means:
  • 50 cm = 5 x 10 cm
  • So, 50 cm is 5 groups of 10 cm
You can also measure your room:
  • Your room is 4 metres long
  • 4 metres = 4 x 100 cm = 400 cm
This is because 1 metre = 100 cm, so:
  • 1 x 100 = 100
  • 2 x 100 = 200
  • 3 x 100 = 300
  • 4 x 100 = 400

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Metric Measuring Mission You are a young explorer on a treasure hunt. You must find the treasure by following a map that gives distances in metres. Each clue tells you to walk a certain number of metres.
  • Clue 1: Walk 3 metres forward
  • Clue 2: Walk 6 metres to the right
  • Clue 3: Walk 9 metres backwards
  • Clue 4: Walk 12 metres to the left
Now, you need to convert these distances to centimetres to make sure you're walking the right amount.
  • 3 metres = 3 x 100 = 300 cm
  • 6 metres = 6 x 100 = 600 cm
  • 9 metres = 9 x 100 = 900 cm
  • 12 metres = 12 x 100 = 1200 cm
You can also measure your own height:
  • If you are 110 cm tall, that’s 110 cm = 11 x 10 cm
  • That means 110 cm is 11 groups of 10 cm

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 10 x 5 = 500 instead of 50.
    Why it happens: Confusing multiplication with addition.
    Fix: Remember that 10 x 5 means 5 groups of 10, not 10 plus 5.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to add a zero when multiplying by 10.
    Why it happens: Not understanding that multiplying by 10 makes numbers 10 times bigger.
    Fix: Practice with objects. If you have 7 groups of 10 toys, you have 70 toys. Add a zero to 7 to get 70.
  • Mistake: Mixing up metres and centimetres.
    Why it happens: Not knowing that 1 metre = 100 cm.
    Fix: Remember: 1 m = 100 cm, so 2 m = 200 cm.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Using everyday measuring tools like rulers, metre sticks, or measuring tapes to practice multiplying by 10
  • Playing a game where you measure things around the house and multiply the number by 10
  • Encouraging children to explain how 10 x 7 = 70, using objects or drawings
  • Practising with real-life examples like shopping, cooking, or walking
  • Noticing when your child says 10 x 5 = 500 or forgets to add a zero
How to help in 5-10 minutes:
  • Ask your child to measure 5 objects and multiply each by 10
  • Use a metre stick to show 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and so on
  • Play a quick game: “I say a number, you multiply it by 10!”
  • Use the 10 times table to measure a room or a book

Practice questions

  1. What is 10 x 3?
  2. What is 10 x 8?
  3. What is 10 x 11?
  4. How many centimetres are in 4 metres?
  5. How many centimetres are in 9 metres?
Answers:
  1. 30
  2. 80
  3. 110
  4. 400 cm
  5. 900 cm

FAQ

Why does multiplying by 10 add a zero?

When you multiply by 10, you are making the number 10 times bigger. In the place value system, this means moving the digits one place to the left. So, 5 becomes 50. The 5 moves from the ones place to the tens place, and we add a zero in the ones place.

How do I know if I'm measuring in metres or centimetres?

Metres are used for longer things like the length of a room or a garden. Centimetres are used for smaller things like the width of a book or the length of a pencil. Remember: 1 metre = 100 centimetres.

Can I use the 10 times table for anything else?

Yes! You can use it for money, time, and counting things in groups. For example, 10 pence x 5 = 50 pence. Or, if you have 10 apples and you eat 10 apples, that’s 10 x 1 = 10 apples.

What if I forget the 10 times table?

You can count in 10s: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120. Or, you can think of it as adding a zero to the number you're multiplying.

How can I practice the 10 times table?

Practice by measuring things around your house, counting in 10s, or using flashcards. You can also play games where you multiply numbers by 10 and see how fast you can answer.

Full 10 times table facts

Number 10 times that number
0 x 10 0
1 x 10 10
2 x 10 20
3 x 10 30
4 x 10 40
5 x 10 50
6 x 10 60
7 x 10 70
8 x 10 80
9 x 10 90
10 x 10 100
11 x 10 110
12 x 10 120