1 times table common mistakes

Quick answer

The 1 times table is simple because any number multiplied by 1 stays the same. But children sometimes make mistakes thinking that multiplying by 1 is different or confusing it with other operations.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand that multiplying any number by 1 gives you that same number, and you will know how to spot and fix common mistakes in the 1 times table.

Success signs:

• You can say that 1 x 7 = 7
• You can explain why 1 x 12 = 12
• You can tell the difference between 1 x 5 and 1 + 5
• You can spot when someone makes a mistake with the 1 times table

Why this matters

Knowing the 1 times table is important because it helps you understand how multiplication works. It's the first step in learning multiplication facts, and it helps you solve bigger problems later. When you know that 1 x 8 = 8, you can use this to help with other times tables. For example, if you know 1 x 8 = 8, then 2 x 8 = 16, which is just 8 + 8.

In games, sports, and real life, you often use the 1 times table without realising it. If you have 1 football, and you get 1 more, you now have 2 footballs. That's 1 x 2 = 2. If you have 1 bag of sweets, and you have 1 more bag, you have 2 bags. That's 1 x 2 = 2. It's a very useful part of maths!

How it works

Multiplying by 1 is like having one group of something. If you have 1 group of 5 apples, you have 5 apples. If you have 1 group of 10 toys, you have 10 toys. It's the same number because there's only one group.

Here’s how to think about it:

1. 1 group of 3 = 3
2. 1 group of 8 = 8
3. 1 group of 12 = 12
4. 1 group of 0 = 0

This is because when you multiply, you're adding the same number over and over. But with 1, you're just adding it once. So 1 x 5 is the same as 5 + 0, which is just 5.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at the 1 times table using different models:

You can also think of it like this:

• 1 x 3 = 3 (because 3 + 0 = 3)
• 1 x 7 = 7 (because 7 + 0 = 7)
• 1 x 10 = 10 (because 10 + 0 = 10)

It’s like having one group of something, so you just count how many there are.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a space explorer on a mission to collect stars. Each star you collect is worth 1 point. If you collect 1 star, you get 1 point. If you collect 2 stars, you get 2 points. If you collect 10 stars, you get 10 points.

Let’s play a game! You are going to collect stars and count how many points you get. You will collect:

1. 1 star = 1 point
2. 2 stars = 2 points
3. 3 stars = 3 points
4. 4 stars = 4 points
5. 5 stars = 5 points
6. 6 stars = 6 points
7. 7 stars = 7 points
8. 8 stars = 8 points
9. 9 stars = 9 points
10. 10 stars = 10 points
11. 11 stars = 11 points
12. 12 stars = 12 points

Can you count how many points you get if you collect 1 star, 1 star, 1 star, and 1 star? That’s 1 x 4 = 4 points!

Common mistakes

Even though the 1 times table is easy, children sometimes make mistakes. Here are some common ones:

Mistake 1: Thinking 1 x 5 = 10

Some children might think that when you multiply by 1, you add 1 to the number. So they might think 1 x 5 = 10.

Why it happens: They might be thinking of addition (5 + 1 = 6) or confusing it with the 2 times table (2 x 5 = 10).

Correct answer: 1 x 5 = 5. It’s just one group of 5.

Mistake 2: Thinking 1 x 0 = 1

Some children might think that 1 x 0 = 1 because 0 is not a big number and they might think 1 is the result.

Why it happens: They might not understand that zero means nothing, so one group of nothing is still nothing.

Correct answer: 1 x 0 = 0. One group of zero items is zero items.

Mistake 3: Mixing up 1 x 5 and 1 + 5

Children might get confused between multiplying and adding. They might say 1 x 5 = 6 instead of 5.

Why it happens: They might not understand the difference between multiplication and addition.

Correct answer: 1 x 5 = 5, and 1 + 5 = 6. These are two different operations.

Mistake 4: Thinking 1 x 1 = 0

This is a rare mistake, but some children might think that 1 x 1 = 0 because they are thinking of zero.

Why it happens: They might be thinking of subtraction or zero as a result.

Correct answer: 1 x 1 = 1. One group of one item is one item.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, here’s how you can help your child with the 1 times table:

• Use everyday examples like "You have 1 apple, and I give you 1 more apple. How many apples do you have?"
• Draw pictures or use objects like toys or food to show groups of 1.
• Ask your child to explain how 1 x 5 = 5. Listen to their reasoning.
• Play games where you say a number and your child says what 1 times that number is.
• Don’t worry if they make a mistake at first. It’s part of learning!

Remember: It's normal for children to mix up operations at first. Be patient and keep practicing!

Practice questions

Try these questions to check your understanding:

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

Answers:

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

FAQ

What is the 1 times table?

The 1 times table is when you multiply any number by 1. It’s easy because the answer is always the same number.

Why is 1 times table important?

It’s important because it helps you understand how multiplication works. It’s also a building block for learning other times tables.

What happens when you multiply by 1?

When you multiply by 1, you get the same number. For example, 1 x 5 = 5.

Can you multiply by 1 in a different way?

Yes! You can think of it as one group of something. So 1 x 4 is one group of 4 items.

What is a common mistake with the 1 times table?

A common mistake is thinking that 1 x 5 = 10, or that 1 x 0 = 1. Remember, multiplying by 1 means just one group of that number, so the answer is always that number.