X Tables
Times Tables Real Life

Scoreboards 10 times table adventure

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

Quick answer

When you see a scoreboard, you can use the 10 times table to quickly work out the total points by counting in tens!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to multiply any number by 10 and use this to quickly add up points on a scoreboard, like in football, rugby, or basketball. Success signs:
  • You can count in tens from 0 to 120
  • You can multiply any number from 0 to 12 by 10
  • You can add up points on a scoreboard using your 10 times table
  • You can explain how the 10 times table helps in real life

Why this matters

Scoreboards are everywhere – in football, rugby, basketball, cricket, and even at school events. When you see a scoreboard, you’re looking at numbers that show how many points each team has. The 10 times table helps you quickly work out totals. For example, if a team scores 5 tries, and each try is worth 10 points, you can quickly work out that they have 50 points. Knowing your 10 times table makes it easy to understand how many points a team has and helps you enjoy games even more!

How it works

Multiplying by 10 is super simple! When you multiply any number by 10, you just add a zero to the end of that number. For example:
  • 1 × 10 = 10
  • 2 × 10 = 20
  • 3 × 10 = 30
  • 4 × 10 = 40
  • 5 × 10 = 50
  • 6 × 10 = 60
  • 7 × 10 = 70
  • 8 × 10 = 80
  • 9 × 10 = 90
  • 10 × 10 = 100
  • 11 × 10 = 110
  • 12 × 10 = 120
This is because 10 groups of any number is the same as that number with a zero added at the end.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are watching a rugby match. Each try is worth 10 points. If Team A scores 3 tries, how many points do they have?
  • 3 tries × 10 points = 30 points
You can also think of it as 3 groups of 10:
  • 10 + 10 + 10 = 30
Or you can use a number line:
  • Start at 0, jump 10 three times: 10, 20, 30
Another example: In a football game, each goal is worth 10 points. If a team scores 7 goals, how many points do they have?
  • 7 goals × 10 points = 70 points
You can also count in tens: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Scoreboard Challenge! You are the scorekeeper at a school sports day! There are 4 events:
  1. Running race – 5 students finish with 10 points each
  2. Jumping contest – 3 students jump with 10 points each
  3. Throwing competition – 2 students throw with 10 points each
  4. Relay race – 6 students run with 10 points each
You need to work out how many points each event gives out and the total points for the day.
  1. Running race: 5 students × 10 points = ? points
  2. Jumping contest: 3 students × 10 points = ? points
  3. Throwing competition: 2 students × 10 points = ? points
  4. Relay race: 6 students × 10 points = ? points
  5. Total points for the day = ? points
Answer:
  1. 5 × 10 = 50 points
  2. 3 × 10 = 30 points
  3. 2 × 10 = 20 points
  4. 6 × 10 = 60 points
  5. Total = 50 + 30 + 20 + 60 = 160 points

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 10 × 10 = 100, but forgetting that 10 × 10 = 100 is correct.
    Why it happens: Children may get confused by the idea that 10 × 10 = 100, but this is actually right.
    Fix: Practice counting in tens and using visual aids like arrays or number lines to show that 10 × 10 = 100.
  • Mistake: Adding 10 instead of multiplying by 10.
    Why it happens: Children may not understand that multiplying by 10 is different from adding 10.
    Fix: Use examples like 3 × 10 = 30 and 3 + 10 = 13 to show the difference clearly.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to add a zero when multiplying by 10.
    Why it happens: Children may not understand that multiplying by 10 adds a zero.
    Fix: Use visual aids like blocks or counters to show that 4 × 10 is 4 groups of 10, which is 40.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Playing a quick game of “Count in Tens” with their child while walking or driving. Say numbers like 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120.
  • Using real-life examples like shopping or sports to show how the 10 times table works.
  • Encouraging the child to practice multiplying by 10 using their fingers or a number line.
  • Practising with a scoreboard from a game or match they watch together.
  • Not worrying if the child makes a mistake – it’s part of learning!

Practice questions

  1. What is 4 × 10?
  2. What is 8 × 10?
  3. What is 12 × 10?
  4. What is 1 × 10?
  5. What is 0 × 10?
  6. What is 11 × 10?
  7. What is 6 × 10?
  8. What is 9 × 10?
  9. What is 3 × 10?
  10. What is 10 × 10?
Answers:
  1. 4 × 10 = 40
  2. 8 × 10 = 80
  3. 12 × 10 = 120
  4. 1 × 10 = 10
  5. 0 × 10 = 0
  6. 11 × 10 = 110
  7. 6 × 10 = 60
  8. 9 × 10 = 90
  9. 3 × 10 = 30
  10. 10 × 10 = 100

FAQ

What is the 10 times table?

The 10 times table is a list of numbers you get when you multiply 10 by any number from 0 to 12. It helps you quickly add up points in games and sports.

Why is multiplying by 10 easy?

Multiplying by 10 is easy because you just add a zero to the end of the number. For example, 5 × 10 = 50.

How can I use the 10 times table in real life?

You can use the 10 times table when you are watching sports, counting money, or even when you are setting up a game at home.

What if I forget the 10 times table?

You can count in tens, use a number line, or think of it as groups of 10 to help you remember.

Can I use the 10 times table for any number?

Yes! You can multiply any number by 10 to get your answer quickly.