X Tables
Topmarks Maths

Topmarks Hit the Button targeted tables maths mission

A practical mini-mission using targeted tables to practise focus through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.

Quick answer

Topmarks Hit the Button is a fun online game where you practice your times tables by quickly answering multiplication questions. This helps you learn your tables faster and stronger, so you can solve maths problems more easily in school and in everyday life.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use your times tables to quickly answer multiplication questions and solve problems in fun, real-life situations. Success signs:
  • You can quickly say the answer to 6 x 7 without counting on your fingers
  • You can solve a word problem about sharing 24 cookies among 6 friends
  • You can play Topmarks Hit the Button and get 10 correct answers in a row
  • You can explain how multiplication helps you in everyday life

Why this matters

Knowing your times tables helps you in many ways. When you are good at multiplication, you can:
  • Count money faster, like knowing that 5 x 2p = 10p
  • Share food or toys fairly with friends
  • Play games that involve scoring or points
  • Understand how many items you need for a party
  • Do bigger maths problems more easily

How it works

Topmarks Hit the Button is a game where you are given a multiplication question, like 7 x 8. You need to type the answer as fast as you can. The game gives you points for correct answers and challenges you to get more and more right in a row. The faster you answer, the more points you get. You can choose which times tables you want to practice. For example, you might choose to focus on the 3 times table or the 6 times table. The game helps you learn by repetition and fun.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples of how multiplication works and how you can use it in Topmarks Hit the Button. Example 1: Arrays Imagine you have 4 rows of 5 apples. You can count the apples by adding 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20. Or you can multiply: 4 x 5 = 20. This is called an array – a way of showing multiplication with rows and columns. Example 2: Sharing You have 12 sweets and you want to share them equally among 3 friends. How many sweets does each friend get? You can think: 12 ÷ 3 = 4. Or you can think: 3 x 4 = 12. Both ways show that each friend gets 4 sweets. Example 3: Real-life situation You are planning a party and you want to give 6 cupcakes to each of 4 guests. How many cupcakes do you need? You can do: 6 x 4 = 24 cupcakes. This is how Topmarks Hit the Button helps you solve this kind of problem quickly.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Maths Mission You are on a mission to help a space explorer named Zara. Zara is lost in space and needs your help to find her way home. To get home, she must solve multiplication challenges. Each correct answer brings her closer to Earth. Your first challenge:
  • What is 5 x 6?
  • What is 9 x 3?
  • What is 7 x 4?
Each time you get an answer right, Zara moves 10 spaces closer to Earth. If you get 5 answers right, she will reach the space station and get a clue to find the Earth. Can you help Zara?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 8 x 5 = 45.
    Why it happens: You might be adding 8 + 5 = 13 and then adding more numbers.
    Fix: Remember that 8 x 5 means 8 groups of 5. So 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 40.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 x any number = 0.
    Why it happens: It’s hard to imagine having zero groups of something.
    Fix: Zero groups of anything means zero. So 0 x 7 = 0.
  • Mistake: Mixing up 6 x 7 and 7 x 6.
    Why it happens: The numbers are the same, but the order is different.
    Fix: Remember that 6 x 7 = 42 and 7 x 6 = 42. The order doesn’t change the answer!

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Playing Topmarks Hit the Button with their child for 5–10 minutes each day
  • Encouraging their child to say the answers out loud before typing them
  • Practising times tables together using flashcards or songs
  • Using real-life examples like sharing food or counting toys
  • Not worrying if the child gets a few wrong – it’s part of learning!
When playing, say things like:
  • “Let’s try 6 x 8 together. What do you think it is?”
  • “You’re getting better at these!”
  • “How did you work that out?”
Don’t say:
  • “Why did you get that wrong?”
  • “You’re not good at maths.”
  • “You need to get it right faster.”

Practice questions

  1. What is 3 x 7?
  2. What is 9 x 4?
  3. What is 6 x 8?
  4. What is 0 x 5?
  5. What is 11 x 2?
  6. What is 12 x 3?
  7. What is 5 x 9?
  8. What is 7 x 7?
  9. What is 4 x 6?
  10. What is 10 x 5?
Answers:
  1. 21
  2. 36
  3. 48
  4. 0
  5. 22
  6. 36
  7. 45
  8. 49
  9. 24
  10. 50

FAQ

What is Topmarks Hit the Button?

It is a fun online game that helps you practice your times tables quickly and accurately.

How can I play it?

You can play it on a computer, tablet, or phone. Go to the Topmarks website and choose “Hit the Button” from the maths section.

What times tables can I practice?

You can choose any times table from 1 to 12. You can also choose to practice a mix of tables.

How do I get better at it?

Practice every day! Try to beat your own score and play with a friend to make it more fun.

Is it good for learning?

Yes! It helps you learn your times tables by repetition and makes learning fun. It also helps with speed and accuracy.