Square Corners 4 times table adventure

Quick answer

Learning outcome

• You can count in fours up to 48
• You can multiply 4 by numbers from 0 to 12
• You can solve problems about groups of four
• You can explain how 4 times a number means 4 groups of that number

Why this matters

How it works

• 4 x 1 = 4 (1 group of 4)
• 4 x 2 = 8 (2 groups of 4)
• 4 x 3 = 12 (3 groups of 4)
• 4 x 4 = 16 (4 groups of 4)

• 4 x 3 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
• 4 x 5 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 20

Examples you can see

• 3 squares × 4 corners each = 12 corners

• 7 squares × 4 corners each = 28 corners

• 10 squares × 4 corners each = 40 corners

• Each chair has 4 legs. So 5 chairs have 5 × 4 = 20 legs
• Each pizza is cut into 4 slices. So 6 pizzas have 6 × 4 = 24 slices

Try it as a mini adventure

• 1 × 4 = 4 corners

• 2 × 4 = 8 corners

• 3 × 4 = 12 corners

• 4 × 4 = 16 corners

• 5 × 4 = 20 corners

• 6 × 4 = 24 corners

• 7 × 4 = 28 corners

• 8 × 4 = 32 corners

• 9 × 4 = 36 corners

• 10 × 4 = 40 corners

• 11 × 4 = 44 corners

• 12 × 4 = 48 corners

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking 4 × 6 = 24, but getting confused with 4 × 7 = 28.
  • Why it happens: Confusing the order of multiplication or skipping numbers.
  • Fix: Use skip counting or draw 6 groups of 4 to check your answer.
• Mistake: Forgetting that 4 × 0 = 0.
  • Why it happens: Thinking that 0 times anything is 0, but not understanding that 0 groups of 4 is still 0.
  • Fix: Visualise no squares, so no corners at all. 0 groups of 4 = 0.
• Mistake: Counting 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48 as 12 numbers instead of 12 groups.
  • Why it happens: Not understanding that each number is a group of 4.
  • Fix: Use physical objects like blocks or counters to show 1 group of 4, 2 groups of 4, etc.

Parent and carer guide

• Playing a counting game: Count in fours together, like 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48
• Using real objects: Count the legs of 3 chairs, or the slices on 4 pizzas
• Practising with flashcards or a multiplication chart
• Encouraging them to draw groups of 4 to help visualise the multiplication
• Reinforcing that 4 × 0 = 0 by saying, "If there are no squares, there are no corners"

• Your child might mix up 4 × 7 and 4 × 8. Help them use skip counting or draw the groups
• They might forget that multiplying by 0 always gives 0
• They might think 4 × 5 = 25 instead of 20. Use repeated addition to check

• It's normal for children to make mistakes at first. Mistakes help learning!
• Don't push too hard. Make it fun with games or stories
• Let them explore and discover patterns on their own

Practice questions

1. How many corners are there in 3 squares?
   • Answer: 12 corners
2. How many legs do 5 chairs have?
   • Answer: 20 legs
3. How many slices are in 6 pizzas if each pizza has 4 slices?
   • Answer: 24 slices
4. How many corners are in 9 squares?
   • Answer: 36 corners
5. How many wheels are on 7 bicycles?
   • Answer: 28 wheels

FAQ

What is the 4 times table?

The 4 times table is the sequence of numbers you get when you multiply 4 by any number. For example, 4 × 1 = 4, 4 × 2 = 8, 4 × 3 = 12, and so on.

Why is the 4 times table useful?

The 4 times table helps you count and solve problems quickly. It's useful for things like counting legs on animals, slices on pizzas, or corners on shapes.

How can I learn the 4 times table quickly?

You can learn it by counting in fours (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48), using flashcards, or drawing groups of 4.

What is 4 × 0?

4 × 0 = 0. This is because if you have 0 groups of 4, you have 0 in total.

Can I use the 4 times table in games?

Yes! You can use it to count points, pieces, or players in games. For example, if you have 5 teams with 4 players each, you have 20 players total.