A Very Easy Times Tables Learning Method

Learning times tables can seem overwhelming because there are 10 to 12 facts for each number. But there's a very easy method that will take a lot of the boredom and frustration out of memorizing multiplication facts. Instead of memorizing 10 to 12 facts per number, your child may only have to learn a few. To use this simple method, teach the multiplication facts in the order listed below.

The zero times tables are easy because the answer is always 0.

The one times tables are easy to learn because the answer is always the number being multiplied by. Ex. 1 x 3 = 3, 1 x 7 = 7

The two times tables are easy because they're the same as addition doubles facts (3 + 3 = 6, 5 + 5 = 10, etc.) If your child knows their doubles addition facts up to 20 they already will know the two times tables.

The ten times facts are also very easy. To multiply something by 10, just add a zero to the end of the number. For example: 10 x 6 = 60.

This is the first set of facts your child will have to really work at memorizing. However learning these tends to be quite easy for many kids. I did these with my 3rd grader by learning one fact a day until we got to 10 x 10. Then we regularly practiced the whole group. A number that is squared is multiplied by itself one time. 3² (3 squared) is the same as 3 x 3. You'll see a bit further down why it's helpful to memorize these facts early on. Here are all of the square facts.

When teaching the five times facts point out to your child that the answer will always end with a 5 or a 0. When 5 is being multiplied by an odd number the answer will end with a 5 (ex. 5 x 7 = 35). When 5 is multiplied by an even number, the answer will end with a zero (ex. 8 x 5 = 40). This will make memorizing easier. Your child will already know the following:

5 x 0, 5 x 1, 5 x 2, 5 x 5

They need to learn these new facts.

Your child will already know the following:

3 x 0, 3 x 1, 3 x 2, 3 x 3, 3 x 5 and 3 x 10

Only five new facts need to be learned. Point out to your child that two of those answers are in the teens. And three are in the 20's. They only need to learn:

At this point, you can see the genius of this method. The only really challenging facts to learn are the squares, 5's, and 3's. By the time we get to the four times tables, most of the facts have already been learned. Your child already knows:

4 x 0, 4 x 1, 4 x 2, 4 x 3, 4 x 4, 4 x 5, and 4 x 10

They only have to learn the following. Point out to your child that two of the anwers are in the 20's and two are in the 30's.

Your child already knows:

6 x 0, 6 x 1, 6 x 2, 6 x 3, 6 x 4, 6 x 5, 6 x 6, and 6 x 10

They only need to learn

6 x 7 = 42
6 x 8 = 48
6 x 9 = 54

Your child already knows:

7 x 0, 7 x 1, 7 x 2, 7 x 3, 7 x 4, 7 x 5, 7 x 6, 7 x 7, and 7 x 10

They only need to learn:

7 x 8 = 56
7 x 9 = 63

Your child already knows:

8 x 0, 8 x 1, 8 x 2, 8 x 3, 8 x 4, 8 x 5, 8 x 6, 8 x 7, 8 x 8, and 8 x 10

Your child only needs to learn:

8 x 9 = 72

Your child knows all of their 9 times tables.

Find a good times tables app that has easy to difficult options. I strongly recommend Bingo Math and Undersea Multiplication. When your child is starting out, they won't know many of the answers. Help them with those. Over time, they'll be able to do more and more facts. Also play Multiplication Math War. Take out any cards your child doesn't know yet. Print multiplication worksheets. Have your child write out the times tables for one number each day. For example, have them write out the 3 times tables one day, the 4 times tables the next, and so on.