X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

Number Tricks 9 times table adventure

A story-led page turning number tricks into a junior adventure for practising the 9 times table.

Quick answer

You can use a fun number trick to help you remember the 9 times table: when you multiply any number by 9, the digits of the answer always add up to 9.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know how to quickly multiply any number by 9 and use a special number trick to check your answers. Success signs:
  • You can multiply numbers from 1 to 12 by 9
  • You can add the digits of any 9 times table answer and get 9
  • You can use the number trick to check if your multiplication is right
  • You can solve a real-life problem using the 9 times table

Why this matters

Knowing your 9 times table helps you solve bigger maths problems faster. It’s useful for:
  • Sharing items equally
  • Calculating money
  • Measuring things
  • Playing games
  • Helping with puzzles
This trick makes it easier to remember the 9 times table and helps you double-check your answers.

How it works

Here's how to multiply by 9 using a simple trick:
  1. First, multiply the number by 10
  2. Then, take away the original number
Let’s look at a few examples:
  • 6 x 9 = (6 x 10) - 6 = 60 - 6 = 54
  • 8 x 9 = (8 x 10) - 8 = 80 - 8 = 72
  • 12 x 9 = (12 x 10) - 12 = 120 - 12 = 108
This trick works because 9 is just 10 minus 1. So 6 x 9 is the same as 6 x (10 - 1).

Examples you can see

Let’s use this trick to make a fun story adventure. Imagine you are a treasure hunter and you find a map that shows 9 treasure chests. Each chest has the same number of gold coins inside. If you know how many coins are in each chest, you can use the 9 times table to find the total. Example 1: You see 5 coins in each chest. How many coins are in all 9 chests?
  • 5 x 9 = (5 x 10) - 5 = 50 - 5 = 45
There are 45 coins in total. Example 2: You see 7 coins in each chest. How many coins are in all 9 chests?
  • 7 x 9 = (7 x 10) - 7 = 70 - 7 = 63
There are 63 coins in total. Here is the full 9 times table using the trick:
Number Multiply by 9 Answer Digits add up to
0 0 x 9 0 0
1 1 x 9 9 9
2 2 x 9 18 9
3 3 x 9 27 9
4 4 x 9 36 9
5 5 x 9 45 9
6 6 x 9 54 9
7 7 x 9 63 9
8 8 x 9 72 9
9 9 x 9 81 9
10 10 x 9 90 9
11 11 x 9 99 9
12 12 x 9 108 9

Try it as a mini adventure

You are on a quest to find a magical 9-key in a secret cave. The cave has 9 rooms, and in each room, there are some golden coins. To unlock the next room, you must solve the 9 times table. Room 1: There are 3 coins in each room. How many coins are in all 9 rooms?
  • 3 x 9 = (3 x 10) - 3 = 30 - 3 = 27
Room 2: There are 6 coins in each room. How many coins are in all 9 rooms?
  • 6 x 9 = (6 x 10) - 6 = 60 - 6 = 54
Room 3: There are 9 coins in each room. How many coins are in all 9 rooms?
  • 9 x 9 = (9 x 10) - 9 = 90 - 9 = 81
Room 4: There are 11 coins in each room. How many coins are in all 9 rooms?
  • 11 x 9 = (11 x 10) - 11 = 110 - 11 = 99
Room 5: There are 12 coins in each room. How many coins are in all 9 rooms?
  • 12 x 9 = (12 x 10) - 12 = 120 - 12 = 108
You found the 9-key! Now you can open the treasure chest and discover your reward.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 9 x 7 = 64
    Why it happens: Confusing with 7 x 7 = 49 and adding 15 instead of subtracting 7
    Correct answer: 9 x 7 = 63, because (7 x 10) - 7 = 70 - 7 = 63
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 9 x 0 = 0
    Why it happens: Thinking 0 x 9 = 9 or that multiplying by 0 gives 1
    Correct answer: Any number multiplied by 0 is 0, so 9 x 0 = 0
  • Mistake: Adding digits of the answer to check it
    Why it happens: Not remembering that the digits of 9 times table answers add up to 9
    Correct answer: For 6 x 9 = 54, 5 + 4 = 9, so the answer is correct

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help children by:
  • Practising the trick with numbers from 1 to 12
  • Checking answers using the digit trick
  • Making up stories with the 9 times table
  • Playing a game where you race to solve 9 times table problems
  • Using real-life examples like shopping or cooking
Try to make it fun and not like a test. If a child makes a mistake, gently guide them to the correct answer and celebrate when they get it right.

Practice questions

  1. What is 4 x 9?
  2. What is 10 x 9?
  3. What is 12 x 9?
  4. What is 7 x 9?
  5. What is 9 x 9?
Answers:
  1. 4 x 9 = (4 x 10) - 4 = 40 - 4 = 36
  2. 10 x 9 = (10 x 10) - 10 = 100 - 10 = 90
  3. 12 x 9 = (12 x 10) - 12 = 120 - 12 = 108
  4. 7 x 9 = (7 x 10) - 7 = 70 - 7 = 63
  5. 9 x 9 = (9 x 10) - 9 = 90 - 9 = 81

FAQ

Why is 9 x 9 = 81?

Because 9 x 9 is the same as 9 groups of 9. If you add 9 nine times, you get 81. Using the trick, (9 x 10) - 9 = 90 - 9 = 81.

Can I use this trick for all numbers?

Yes, you can use the trick for any number multiplied by 9. It works because 9 = 10 - 1.

What if I forget the answer to 9 x 9?

You can use the trick: (9 x 10) - 9 = 90 - 9 = 81.

How do I check if my answer is right?

Add the digits of your answer. If they equal 9, your answer is probably correct.

Is the 9 times table hard to learn?

No, it’s easy once you know the trick. The digits always add up to 9, which helps you remember.