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4 methods schools use to make times tables easier.

Times tables: how do I help my child learn them? Use the 4 methods school uses, so each fact makes sense instead of being a memory test.

Text slide. 4 methods schools use to make times tables easier: arrays, doubling, build from 10s, splitting. Text slide. Use the same 4 methods at home so your child understands each fact. The same egg box of 12 shown two ways: 2 rows of 6, labelled 2 times 6 equals 12, and 6 rows of 2, labelled 6 times 2 equals 12. 3 times 7 equals 21, doubled to 6 times 7 equals 42. Doubling takes the 2s to the 4s to the 8s, and the 3s to the 6s. 10 times 8 equals 80; half is 5 times 8 equals 40; one 8 fewer is 9 times 8 equals 72. 12 times 4 split into 10 times 4 plus 2 times 4, which is 40 plus 8, which is 48. An egg box, a muffin tray and a window with panes in rows. Text slide asking to send to the class group.

The method in words

The 4 methods:

  1. Arrays: turn it round, get 2 facts
  2. Doubling: 3s → 6s, 2s → 4s → 8s
  3. Build from the 10s: halve for 5s, one group fewer for 9s
  4. Splitting: 12 × 4 = (10 × 4) + (2 × 4)

When it comes up:
Year 2: 2s, 5s and 10s
Year 3: 3s, 4s and 8s
Year 4: the rest, ready for the multiplication tables check in June

Save this for homework night.

Sources: national curriculum for maths, Years 2 to 4; Oak National Academy lessons "Represent multiplication equations in different ways" and "Identify the patterns and relationships between the 5 and 10 times tables" (Year 2) and "Use knowledge of the distributive law to calculate products using known times tables" (Year 4); Standards and Testing Agency, multiplication tables check. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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