X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

One Trophy Each 1 times table adventure

A story-led page turning one trophy each into a junior adventure for practising the 1 times table.

Quick answer

When you have one trophy for each person, you are multiplying by one. The 1 times table is easy because anything multiplied by one stays the same.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand that multiplying any number by one gives the same number, and you will be able to solve 1 times table problems quickly. Success signs:
  • You can say the 1 times table from 0 to 12
  • You can solve problems like "If there are 6 children, how many trophies are needed?"
  • You can explain why 1 x 7 = 7
  • You can use the 1 times table in real life

Why this matters

The 1 times table is the foundation of multiplication. It helps you understand that when you have one group of something, the total is just that amount. You use this idea when sharing, counting, or giving out items. It’s like a secret code that makes bigger maths easier to learn.

How it works

Multiplying by one means you have one group of a number. It’s like saying:
  • 1 x 3 = 3 (one group of 3)
  • 1 x 8 = 8 (one group of 8)
  • 1 x 12 = 12 (one group of 12)
No matter how big the number is, if you only have one group, the answer is always that number.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are a teacher at a school sports day. You want to give one trophy to each child who wins a race. If there are 5 children in the race, you need 5 trophies. That’s 1 x 5 = 5. Here are the 1 times table facts from 0 to 12:
1 times table Answer
1 x 0 0
1 x 1 1
1 x 2 2
1 x 3 3
1 x 4 4
1 x 5 5
1 x 6 6
1 x 7 7
1 x 8 8
1 x 9 9
1 x 10 10
1 x 11 11
1 x 12 12
You can imagine this like:
  • 1 x 4 = 4 — One group of 4 pencils
  • 1 x 10 = 10 — One group of 10 books
  • 1 x 12 = 12 — One group of 12 toys

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Trophy Collection Quest You are the captain of a sports team and your mission is to collect trophies for every player. You have a list of players and you need to count how many trophies you need. Each player gets one trophy. Let’s go on a quick quest together:
  1. First time: You have 3 players. How many trophies do you need? 1 x 3 = ?
  2. Second time: You have 7 players. How many trophies do you need? 1 x 7 = ?
  3. Third time: You have 11 players. How many trophies do you need? 1 x 11 = ?
  4. Fourth time: You have 0 players. How many trophies do you need? 1 x 0 = ?
  5. Fifth time: You have 12 players. How many trophies do you need? 1 x 12 = ?
Answer these questions to complete your quest:
  • 1 x 3 = 3
  • 1 x 7 = 7
  • 1 x 11 = 11
  • 1 x 0 = 0
  • 1 x 12 = 12

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 1 x 5 = 10 or 1 x 5 = 5 + 5. Why it happens: Confusing the 1 times table with the 2 times table. Fix: Remember: one group of any number is just that number.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 1 x 0 = 0. Why it happens: Thinking that zero is a special number that doesn’t follow rules. Fix: One group of zero items is still zero items.
  • Mistake: Saying 1 x 8 = 8 + 1. Why it happens: Mixing up multiplication with addition. Fix: One group of 8 is just 8, not 8 + 1.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Playing a quick game: “I have one apple, how many apples do I have?”
  • Using everyday objects like toys, crayons, or snacks to show groups of one.
  • Practising the 1 times table with flashcards or songs.
  • Reinforcing that 1 x any number = that number.
  • Encouraging children to say the 1 times table out loud to build memory.
It’s okay if they make mistakes — it’s part of learning. Don’t worry if they don’t know it right away. Keep practising, and soon it will become easy.

Practice questions

  1. 1 x 4 = ?
  2. 1 x 9 = ?
  3. 1 x 1 = ?
  4. 1 x 0 = ?
  5. 1 x 12 = ?
  6. 1 x 6 = ?
  7. 1 x 10 = ?
  8. 1 x 3 = ?
  9. 1 x 8 = ?
  10. 1 x 5 = ?
Answers:
  1. 4
  2. 9
  3. 1
  4. 0
  5. 12
  6. 6
  7. 10
  8. 3
  9. 8
  10. 5

FAQ

Why is the 1 times table so easy?

Because multiplying by one means you have exactly one group of that number, so the answer is always that number.

What happens if you multiply by zero?

When you multiply any number by zero, the answer is always zero. For example, 1 x 0 = 0.

Can I use the 1 times table in games?

Yes! If you’re playing a game and each player gets one point, you can use the 1 times table to count how many points you have.

Is 1 x 1 the same as 1 + 1?

No, they are different. 1 x 1 = 1 (one group of one), but 1 + 1 = 2 (adding two ones together).

How can I remember the 1 times table?

Think of it like this: “One group of any number is just that number.” You can also sing it or chant it with a friend!