Master the 8 Times Table
Learn multiplication table of 8 with our proven 5-step plan, interactive games, and comprehensive practice tools
What is the 8 Times Table?
The 8 times table shows the results when any number is multiplied by 8, representing repeated addition of 8 or counting in groups of 8. The products follow this sequence: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, and so on. The brilliant strategy for learning the 8 times table is understanding that it's exactly double the 4 times table, which itself is double the 2 times table. This creates a powerful doubling chain: 2 → 4 → 8. If you know that 4 × 7 = 28, then 8 × 7 is simply double that: 56. This relationship makes the 8 times table much easier to learn and provides instant calculation ability when the 4 times table is already mastered.
A remarkable property of the 8 times table is that all products are even numbers, ending only in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. The units (ones) digit follows a simple repeating pattern: 8, 6, 4, 2, 0, then repeats again. For example: 8 (8), 16 (6), 24 (4), 32 (2), 40 (0), 48 (8), 56 (6), and so on. This predictable cycle makes verification easy—if your answer ends in an odd digit (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9), it's definitely wrong! There's also a fascinating pattern in the tens place for the first five facts: 8 × 1 = 08 (starts with 0), 8 × 2 = 16 (starts with 1), 8 × 3 = 24 (starts with 2), 8 × 4 = 32 (starts with 3), 8 × 5 = 40 (starts with 4). The tens digit is always one less than the number being multiplied by 8!
Another helpful pattern is the digit sum sequence: for the first five facts (8×1 through 8×5), the sum of digits in each product starts at 8 and decreases by 1 each time (8, 7, 6, 5, 4). For facts 8×6 through 8×10, the digit sum starts at 12 and decreases back to 8 (12, 11, 10, 9, 8). Understanding these patterns, combined with the "double the 4s" strategy, makes the 8 times table one of the most logical and systematic tables to learn. The 8 times table also has real-world relevance: octopuses have 8 legs, there are 8 notes in a musical octave, and understanding multiplication by 8 builds strong foundations for mental arithmetic and division.
The 5-Step Learning Plan
Our proven 5-step plan uses progressive, research-backed methods to help students master the 8 times table through interactive learning. Each step builds upon the previous one, ensuring both understanding and automatic recall. This systematic approach is used in schools worldwide and recommended by mathematics educators for effective times table mastery.
1️⃣
View & Repeat
2️⃣
Drag & Drop
3️⃣
Shuffled Practice
4️⃣
Multiple Choice
5️⃣
Earn Diploma
📖 Step 1a: View, Read Aloud and Repeat
Familiarize yourself with the 8 times table by viewing and reading each multiplication fact aloud. Click on each fact to hear it repeated. Notice that every answer is double the 4 times table!
✏️ Step 1b: Fill In Sequence
Test your knowledge! Fill in all the answers in sequence. Once complete, click 'Check' to see your results. Get them all right to move forward!
🎯 Step 2: Drag the Right Answer
Match each multiplication fact with its correct answer by dragging. This interactive game reinforces your double-the-4s strategy!
Questions
Answers (Drag These)
🔀 Step 3: Shuffled Practice
Practice the 8 times table in random order! This builds true automaticity. Fill in all answers and press 'Check' to see your score.
✅ Step 4: Multiple Choice Quiz
Answer all 15 questions correctly! Each question tests your 8 times table knowledge from different angles.
🏆 Step 5: Tables Diploma Challenge
Prove your mastery! Answer all 24 questions correctly to earn your official 8 Times Table Diploma. This is the ultimate test!
Progress: 0/24 Correct | Time: 0:00
🎮 Memory Times Table Game
Match the multiplication facts with their answers in this fun memory card game! Find all pairs to win.
Moves: 0 | Pairs Found: 0/12
📊 8 Times Table Chart
Here's a complete reference chart showing the 8 times table from 8 × 1 to 8 × 20. Notice how all answers are even and the relationship to the 4 times table (double it)!
The Double-4 & Even Number Patterns
The 8 times table has powerful patterns that make it logical and systematic: First, every answer is exactly double the 4 times table. For example, 4 × 7 = 28, so 8 × 7 = 56 (double of 28). This doubling chain works because 8 = 2 × 4. Second, all products are even numbers ending only in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. The units digit follows the repeating pattern: 8, 6, 4, 2, 0, then repeats. Third, there's a tens digit pattern for the first five facts: 8×1=08 (starts with 0), 8×2=16 (starts with 1), 8×3=24 (starts with 2), 8×4=32 (starts with 3), 8×5=40 (starts with 4)—the tens digit is always one less than the multiplier! Fourth, the digit sum pattern: for 8×1 through 8×5, digit sums decrease from 8 to 4 (8, 7, 6, 5, 4). For 8×6 through 8×10, they go from 12 back to 8 (12, 11, 10, 9, 8). These patterns make the 8 times table remarkably structured and easier to learn than it first appears!
📚 Educational Facts About the 8 Times Table
🔢 All Even Numbers
Every product in the 8 times table is even, ending only in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. The units digit pattern repeats: 8, 6, 4, 2, 0. If your answer ends in an odd number, it's definitely wrong!
✖️ Double the 4s
The most powerful strategy: 8× is always double 4×. If you know 4 × 7 = 28, then 8 × 7 = 56 (double it). This builds the doubling chain: 2 → 4 → 8. Use known 4s facts!
📈 Tens Digit Pattern
For the first 5 facts: 8×1=08, 8×2=16, 8×3=24, 8×4=32, 8×5=40. Notice the tens digit is always one less than the number being multiplied! A beautiful pattern for quick recall.
🔄 Digit Sum Pattern
For 8×1 to 8×5: digit sums are 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 (decreasing by 1). For 8×6 to 8×10: digit sums are 12, 11, 10, 9, 8. This fascinating pattern helps with memorization!
⚡ Foundation for 16s
The 8 times table prepares students for multiplying by 16 (double 8). It completes the doubling chain: 2 → 4 → 8 → 16. Mastering this chain builds powerful mental math!
🌍 Real-World Eights
Understanding "8 times" helps with everyday situations: octopuses have 8 legs, there are 8 notes in an octave, spiders have 8 legs, and 8 ounces in a cup. Math connects to real life!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the 8 times table important to learn?
A: The 8 times table is essential because it demonstrates the powerful doubling relationship: 8 is double 4, which is double 2. This creates a doubling chain (2 → 4 → 8) that reveals how multiplication tables are interconnected. Understanding this relationship builds strong mental math skills and number sense. The 8 times table is also practical: it appears frequently in measurements (8 ounces in a cup, 8 pints in a gallon), nature (octopuses and spiders have 8 legs), music (8 notes in an octave), and computing (8 bits in a byte). Mastering the 8 times table teaches students that even seemingly difficult tables become easy with the right strategy—knowing the 4 times table makes the 8s automatic through doubling. This strategic thinking is more valuable than rote memorization and prepares students for algebraic reasoning.
Q: How long does it take to master the 8 times table?
A: Most students can learn the 8 times table in 2-3 weeks with consistent daily practice, especially if they already know the 4 times table well. Because the "double the 4s" strategy is so effective, students who have mastered the 4 times table often learn the 8s very quickly—sometimes within a week. Building automaticity (instant recall without calculating) typically requires 3-4 weeks of daily 10-15 minute practice sessions. The key is ensuring fluency with the 4 times table first, as this makes the 8s almost automatic. Students who understand the doubling relationship and practice both the "double 4s" strategy and pattern recognition (even numbers, units digit cycle, tens digit pattern) usually achieve mastery faster than those relying solely on rote memorization. Additionally, leveraging the commutative property helps—by the time students learn 8s, they already know facts like 2×8, 3×8, 4×8, 5×8, 6×8, 7×8, and 10×8 from other tables!
Q: What is the "double the 4s" strategy for the 8 times table?
A: The "double the 4s" strategy is the most powerful method for learning the 8 times table: simply double any 4 times table answer to get the 8 times table answer. Since 8 = 4 × 2, this works perfectly every time. For example, to find 8 × 7: first calculate 4 × 7 = 28, then double it to get 56. This strategy is incredibly effective because it builds on prior knowledge (the 4 times table) rather than requiring memorization of entirely new facts. It demonstrates that multiplication is connected and systematic, not random. The strategy also reinforces the doubling chain: since 4 is double 2, you can think "double, double, double" (2 × 7 = 14, double to get 4 × 7 = 28, double again to get 8 × 7 = 56). This method works for all 8× facts and helps students understand multiplication as a connected system. Importantly, students must understand that only one factor should be doubled—doubling one factor doubles the answer, whereas doubling both factors would quadruple it.
Q: What patterns exist in the 8 times table?
A: The 8 times table has several helpful patterns: (1) All products are even, ending only in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, with the units digit following the repeating cycle: 8, 6, 4, 2, 0. (2) Each answer is double the 4 times table—the fundamental relationship. (3) Tens digit pattern: for the first five facts, the tens digit is one less than the multiplier (8×1=08, 8×2=16, 8×3=24, 8×4=32, 8×5=40). (4) Digit sum pattern: for 8×1 to 8×5, the sum of digits decreases from 8 to 4 (8, 7, 6, 5, 4); for 8×6 to 8×10, it goes from 12 back to 8 (12, 11, 10, 9, 8). (5) Products increase by 8 each time (8, 16, 24, 32, 40...). These patterns help students verify answers, make memorization easier, and build number sense. The even-number pattern provides instant verification, while the doubling relationship provides a reliable calculation method.
Q: How can I practice the 8 times table at home?
A: Use our comprehensive 5-step plan starting with viewing and repeating, then progressing through sequenced practice, drag-and-drop games, shuffled practice, multiple choice, and the diploma challenge. Supplement with these activities that emphasize the "double the 4s" strategy: (1) Write 4× and 8× tables side-by-side to show the doubling relationship visually. (2) Practice the doubling sequence: for each fact, say "4 times 7 is 28, double 28 is 56, so 8 times 7 is 56." (3) Skip count by 8s: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80. (4) Identify known facts: circle facts already learned from other tables (2×8, 3×8, 4×8, 5×8, 6×8, 7×8, 10×8). (5) Real-world connections: count octopus legs (8 each), measure in cups (8 ounces), or find groups of 8. (6) Pattern recognition games: identify the units digit pattern or tens digit pattern. Practice for 10-15 minutes daily rather than long occasional sessions. Make it engaging and celebrate the "aha!" moment when students realize the 4s connection!
Q: When should children learn the 8 times table?
A: Children typically learn the 8 times table in Year 4 or Year 5 (ages 8-10 in the UK) or 3rd-4th grade (ages 8-10 in the US), after mastering earlier tables including 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, and 10s. The 8 times table is usually taught after the 4 times table is solid, since the "double the 4s" strategy is the most effective learning method. Most educational frameworks like the UK National Curriculum expect students to know all times tables up to 12×12 by the end of Year 4, with the 8 times table being part of the later group. The key prerequisite is fluency with the 4 times table—when children can quickly recall 4× facts and understand the concept of doubling, they're ready to learn the 8 times table. Some curricula teach 2, 4, and 8 as a connected group to emphasize the doubling relationships (2→4→8). When children understand these connections, the 8 times table becomes logical rather than arbitrary, making it easier to learn and remember.
💡 Tips for Success
✓ Master 4s First
Ensure solid knowledge of the 4 times table before starting 8s. The double-the-4s strategy only works if students can quickly recall 4× facts. This foundation is essential!
✓ Use Double-the-4s
Teach explicitly: to find 8×, first find 4× and double it. For 8 × 6: calculate 4 × 6 = 24, then 24 + 24 = 48. This powerful strategy makes 8s automatic!
✓ Recognize Even Pattern
All answers are even: 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. The units digit cycles: 8, 6, 4, 2, 0 (repeating). If your answer is odd, it's wrong! This provides instant verification.
✓ Use Tens Pattern
For first 5 facts, the tens digit is one less than the multiplier: 8×1=08, 8×2=16, 8×3=24, 8×4=32, 8×5=40. A beautiful quick-check pattern!
✓ Compare 4s and 8s
Write 4× and 8× tables side-by-side. Show how every 8× answer is exactly double the 4× answer. This visual comparison reinforces the doubling relationship beautifully!
✓ Build the Chain
Show the doubling chain: 2 → 4 → 8. If 2 × 7 = 14, double to get 4 × 7 = 28, double again to get 8 × 7 = 56. Reveals mathematical connections!
About the Author
Adam
Co-Founder at RevisionTown
Math Expert specializing in various international curricula including IB (International Baccalaureate), AP (Advanced Placement), GCSE, IGCSE, and standardized test preparation. Dedicated to creating engaging, interactive learning tools that help students master mathematics through proven educational methods. Passionate about making times tables fun and accessible for learners of all ages through innovative teaching strategies, pattern recognition, and comprehensive practice resources.
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