The other times tables: build on what you know
You learn the 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 times tables by starting from a times table you already know.
How to work it out
- Find the nearest anchor table: times 2, times 5 or times 10.
- Work that out first.
- See how many groups you are short or have too many.
- Add those groups or take them away.
6 × 8 = 48
A worked example
7 × 8
- Seven groups is five groups and two groups.
- First do 5 × 8 = 40.
- Then do 2 × 8 = 16.
- Add them: 40 + 16 = 56.
- So 7 × 8 = 56.
More examples
6 × 7
- Do 5 × 7 = 35.
- Add one more group of 7: 35 + 7 = 42.
9 × 6
- Do 10 × 6 = 60.
- That is one group of 6 too many: 60 − 6 = 54.
4 × 8
- Double 8: that is 16.
- Double it again: 32.
Try it yourself
6 × 3 =
6 × 1 =
Watch out
You add the wrong number: for 6 × 8 you do 40 + 6 = 46.
You need one more group of 8, so add 8: 48.
For times 9 you take away 1 instead of a whole group: 10 × 6 = 60, and then 59.
You have one group of 6 too many, so take away 6: 54.
Tips
- Times 8 is also doubling three times: 8, 16, 32, 64, so 8 × 8 is 64.
- In the 9 times table, the two digits of the answer add up to 9: 54 is 5 + 4.
- Choose the nearest anchor: times 9 from times 10, times 6 from times 5.
Why it works
Six groups is five groups and one more. Nine groups is ten groups take away one. So you do not need to learn a new table: you start from a fact you know and add or take away a little. After a while you know the answer straight away and no longer need the extra step.