Tennis Doubles 2 times table adventure

Quick answer

You can use the 2 times table to figure out how many tennis balls are needed for tennis doubles games, how many players are in multiple doubles teams, or how many points you score if you win every game.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use the 2 times table to solve problems about tennis doubles games, and you will know that multiplying by 2 means adding the same number twice.

• You can count in 2s from 0 to 24.
• You can solve simple problems using 2 times table facts.
• You can see how 2 times table helps in real life, like tennis doubles.
• You can explain that 2 x 5 means 5 + 5 or 2 groups of 5.

Why this matters

The 2 times table helps you quickly work out how many things you have if they come in pairs. In tennis doubles, teams have 2 players. If you play 3 doubles games, you can work out that 6 players are involved. This is useful for counting, sharing, and planning. It also helps you get faster at maths in games, sports, and everyday life!

How it works

When you multiply by 2, you are adding the same number twice. For example:

1. 2 x 1 = 1 + 1 = 2
2. 2 x 2 = 2 + 2 = 4
3. 2 x 3 = 3 + 3 = 6
4. 2 x 4 = 4 + 4 = 8
5. 2 x 5 = 5 + 5 = 10
6. 2 x 6 = 6 + 6 = 12
7. 2 x 7 = 7 + 7 = 14
8. 2 x 8 = 8 + 8 = 16
9. 2 x 9 = 9 + 9 = 18
10. 2 x 10 = 10 + 10 = 20
11. 2 x 11 = 11 + 11 = 22
12. 2 x 12 = 12 + 12 = 24

Examples you can see

Imagine you are at a tennis club with your friends. Each doubles team has 2 players. Let’s look at how many players are in different numbers of teams:

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a tennis doubles adventure!

You are the coach of a tennis club. You want to know how many tennis balls you need for a tournament. Each doubles team uses 2 tennis balls per game.

1st time: 1 team plays 1 game = 2 tennis balls

2nd time: 2 teams play 1 game = 4 tennis balls

3rd time: 3 teams play 1 game = 6 tennis balls

4th time: 4 teams play 1 game = 8 tennis balls

5th time: 5 teams play 1 game = 10 tennis balls

6th time: 6 teams play 1 game = 12 tennis balls

7th time: 7 teams play 1 game = 14 tennis balls

8th time: 8 teams play 1 game = 16 tennis balls

9th time: 9 teams play 1 game = 18 tennis balls

10th time: 10 teams play 1 game = 20 tennis balls

11th time: 11 teams play 1 game = 22 tennis balls

12th time: 12 teams play 1 game = 24 tennis balls

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking 2 x 3 = 6, but confusing it with 3 x 3 = 9.
• Why it happens: Mixing up the order of multiplication.
• Fix: Remember that 2 x 3 means 2 groups of 3, which is 3 + 3 = 6.
• Mistake: Forgetting that 2 x 0 = 0.
• Why it happens: Thinking that multiplying by 0 is hard or special.
• Fix: 2 groups of 0 = 0 + 0 = 0. Any number times 0 = 0.
• Mistake: Counting in 2s but skipping numbers like 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26.
• Why it happens: Not being careful when counting.
• Fix: Use your fingers or count aloud carefully: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:

1. Practising skip counting in 2s together, using fingers or objects like tennis balls or counters.
2. Playing a quick game: say a number and ask your child to double it (e.g. "What is 2 x 7?").
3. Using real-life situations like tennis doubles, or sharing cookies in pairs.
4. Encouraging your child to draw arrays or groups to show 2 times table problems.
5. Noticing when your child uses the 2 times table in daily life, like counting shoes or socks.

Remember: It’s okay to make mistakes. The goal is to understand and build confidence!

Practice questions

1. How many players are in 5 tennis doubles teams?
2. If each doubles team uses 2 tennis balls, how many balls are needed for 8 teams?
3. What is 2 x 9?
4. How many tennis balls are used if 11 teams each play one game?
5. What is 2 x 0?

Answers:

1. 10 players
2. 16 tennis balls
3. 18
4. 22 tennis balls
5. 0

FAQ

Why do we use the 2 times table for tennis doubles?

Because each tennis doubles team has 2 players, so we can use the 2 times table to count how many players or balls are needed.

How can I remember the 2 times table?

You can count in 2s, use your fingers, or think of it as adding the same number twice.

Is the 2 times table the same as doubling?

Yes! 2 x 5 is the same as 5 + 5 or 5 doubled.

What if I don’t know 2 x 8?

You can think of it as 8 + 8 = 16. Or count in 2s up to 8 times.

Can I use the 2 times table for things other than tennis?

Yes! It helps with socks, shoes, pairs of anything, or sharing items in groups of 2.