How to learn the 7 times table

Quick answer

You can learn the 7 times table by using patterns, skip counting, and connecting it to things you already know like the 2s, 5s, and 10s tables. You can also use tricks like counting on your fingers or drawing arrays to help you remember.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know the 7 times table from 0 to 12 and be able to use it to solve simple maths problems.

• You can say the 7 times table from 0 to 12 in order
• You can solve simple multiplication problems with 7
• You can spot patterns in the 7 times table
• You can use 7 times table facts to help you with bigger maths problems

Why this matters

Learning the 7 times table helps you solve bigger maths problems quickly. It's useful in everyday life, like when you're sharing 7 cookies with friends, or when you're planning a party and need to know how many balloons you'll need if you buy 7 packs of 6. It also helps you in school when you're working with fractions, area, and division.

How it works

There are many ways to learn the 7 times table. Here’s how:

1. Start with what you already know: the 2s, 5s, and 10s tables
2. Count by 7s to see the pattern
3. Use arrays or groups to help you see the multiplication
4. Use tricks like doubling or adding 10 to help you remember
5. Practice with games and songs

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples of the 7 times table:

Let’s try to understand what 7 x 4 means. It’s the same as 4 groups of 7. So, if you have 4 bags and each bag has 7 apples, you have 28 apples in total.

Another way to think about it is to use a number line. Start at 0 and jump by 7s:

• 0 + 7 = 7
• 7 + 7 = 14
• 14 + 7 = 21
• 21 + 7 = 28

Each jump is 7, so 4 jumps = 28.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you’re a space explorer on a mission to Planet 7. You’ve discovered that every week, 7 new aliens come to visit your spaceship. If you’ve been exploring for 12 weeks, how many aliens have visited you?

Let’s solve it step by step:

1. Week 1: 7 aliens
2. Week 2: 7 + 7 = 14 aliens
3. Week 3: 14 + 7 = 21 aliens
4. Week 4: 21 + 7 = 28 aliens
5. Week 5: 28 + 7 = 35 aliens
6. Week 6: 35 + 7 = 42 aliens
7. Week 7: 42 + 7 = 49 aliens
8. Week 8: 49 + 7 = 56 aliens
9. Week 9: 56 + 7 = 63 aliens
10. Week 10: 63 + 7 = 70 aliens
11. Week 11: 70 + 7 = 77 aliens
12. Week 12: 77 + 7 = 84 aliens

So, 12 weeks of 7 aliens each week means 84 aliens have visited you!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking 7 x 7 = 48
• Why it happens: Confusing it with 6 x 7 = 42
• Fix: Remember that 7 x 7 = 49 because it’s 7 groups of 7, and you can count them out or use a number line.

• Mistake: Forgetting that 0 x 7 = 0
• Why it happens: Thinking that 0 means nothing, so it can’t be multiplied
• Fix: Remember that 0 groups of 7 means 0 apples, so 0 x 7 = 0.

• Mistake: Mixing up 7 x 8 and 7 x 9
• Why it happens: The numbers are close together
• Fix: Use the pattern or count by 7s to double-check.

Parent and carer guide

Learning the 7 times table can be fun and easy with a few tips:

• Use everyday situations to practice, like counting 7 legs on a spider or 7 days in a week
• Play a game of skip counting by 7s together
• Use a rainbow chart or poster to help your child see the pattern
• Encourage your child to write the table out or sing a song about it
• Don’t worry if they make mistakes – they’re part of learning!

Practice questions

1. What is 7 x 3?
2. What is 7 x 9?
3. What is 7 x 0?
4. What is 7 x 11?
5. What is 7 x 5?

Answers:

1. 21
2. 63
3. 0
4. 77
5. 35

FAQ

How do I remember the 7 times table?

Try using skip counting, patterns, and songs. You can also use arrays or drawings to help you see the groups.

Why is the 7 times table tricky?

It’s tricky because it doesn’t have a simple pattern like the 2s or 5s tables. But with practice, it becomes easier!

Can I use the 7 times table to solve bigger problems?

Yes! Once you know the 7 times table, you can use it to solve problems involving groups, area, and division.

What if I forget a fact?

Don’t panic! You can count by 7s, use a number line, or think of it as repeated addition. You can also use a friend or a chart to help you.

Is there a song to help me learn the 7 times table?

Yes! Many people sing the 7 times table to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" or other familiar songs. Try searching for “7 times table song” online for fun ideas.