Tricks to Teach Multiplication Tables: 10 Proven Methods That Work
Teaching multiplication tables doesn't have to be a struggle for parents, teachers, or students. With the right tricks to teach multiplication tables, children can master their times tables quickly and enjoyably. This comprehensive guide shares proven strategies, patterns, and clever techniques that transform multiplication from a dreaded memorization task into an engaging learning adventure. Whether you're a parent homeschooling your child, a classroom teacher, or a tutor, these tricks to teach multiplication tables will help students build confidence and achieve mathematical fluency.
Why Traditional Methods Often Fail
Many students struggle with multiplication tables because traditional rote memorization doesn't provide understanding or context. Simply repeating facts without comprehension leads to frustration and math anxiety. Effective tricks to teach multiplication tables focus on pattern recognition, visual learning, and conceptual understanding rather than mindless repetition. Research shows that when students understand the "why" behind multiplication, they retain facts longer and apply them more confidently. The strategies below combine visual aids, patterns, mnemonics, and games to create lasting mathematical foundations.
Start with the Foundation: Understanding What Multiplication Means
Before diving into tricks to teach multiplication tables, ensure students understand that multiplication is repeated addition. This foundational concept makes all subsequent learning easier and more intuitive.
Visual Example: Use physical objects like blocks, coins, or candies. Arrange 4 groups of 3 items each. Count them together, then show that \(4 \times 3\) is simply a faster way to add \(4 + 4 + 4\). This concrete representation helps students visualize multiplication before memorizing tables.
Trick #1: The Strategic Order Method
One of the most important tricks to teach multiplication tables is following a strategic order. Start with the easiest tables and gradually progress to more challenging ones. This builds confidence and creates a solid foundation.
Recommended Learning Order:
- Tables 1, 2, 5, 10: These are the easiest and show clear patterns
- Table 0: Everything times zero equals zero
- Table 11: Up to 11×9, just repeat the digit (11×3 = 33, 11×7 = 77)
- Tables 3, 4, 6: Build on what students already know
- Tables 9: Uses special finger trick (explained below)
- Tables 7, 8, 12: The toughest, but students have momentum by now
Trick #2: The Amazing Nines Finger Trick
This is one of the most popular tricks to teach multiplication tables, and it works like magic! Students can calculate any 9 times table fact (9×1 through 9×10) using just their fingers.
Step 1: Hold both hands in front of you, palms facing away
Step 2: To calculate 9×7, bend down the 7th finger from the left
Step 3: Count fingers to the left of the bent finger (6) and to the right (3)
Result: \(9 \times 7 = 63\)
Pattern Recognition: Notice how in the 9 times table, the tens digit increases by 1 while the ones digit decreases by 1. Also, the digits in each answer always add up to 9: \(1+8=9\), \(2+7=9\), \(3+6=9\), etc.
Trick #3: The Doubles and Halves Strategy
These tricks to teach multiplication tables leverage what students already know to figure out what they don't know yet. This strategy reduces the total number of facts that need memorization.
Teaching Tip: If a student knows their 2 times table, they can calculate 4s by doubling the 2s. If they know 4s, they can calculate 8s by doubling 4s. Show this pattern explicitly:
- \(2 \times 5 = 10\), so \(4 \times 5 = 20\) (double of 10)
- \(4 \times 5 = 20\), so \(8 \times 5 = 40\) (double of 20)
Trick #4: The Skip Counting Song Method
Among the most effective tricks to teach multiplication tables, skip counting with rhythm transforms memorization into a musical activity. The auditory learning pathway strengthens memory retention significantly.
How to Implement:
- Create a rhythmic chant: "Three, six, nine, twelve, fifteen, eighteen, twenty-one, twenty-four..."
- Clap or snap fingers on each number to establish rhythm
- Start slowly, then increase speed as mastery improves
- Practice for 5-10 minutes daily for best results
- Use existing songs or create custom tunes for each table
Twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five, forty,
Forty-five, fifty, fifty-five, sixty!
Trick #5: Visual Pattern Recognition
Visual patterns are powerful tricks to teach multiplication tables because they help students predict answers rather than merely memorizing isolated facts.
| Table | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Times | All answers are even numbers | 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12... |
| 5 Times | Answers end in 5 or 0 | 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30... |
| 10 Times | Add a zero to the number | \(10 \times 7 = 70\) |
| 11 Times | Repeat the digit (up to 9) | \(11 \times 4 = 44\) |
| 9 Times | Digits sum to 9 | 18: 1+8=9, 27: 2+7=9 |
Trick #6: The Commutative Property Shortcut
One of the most powerful tricks to teach multiplication tables is demonstrating the commutative property: the order doesn't matter. This immediately cuts the number of facts to memorize in half!
Teaching Strategy: Use arrays to demonstrate visually. Create a 3×4 array of objects (3 rows, 4 columns). Then rotate it to show it's also a 4×3 array (4 rows, 3 columns). The total number of objects hasn't changed! This proves that \(3 \times 4 = 4 \times 3 = 12\).
Impact on Learning: When students understand they only need to memorize \(7 \times 8\) once (not both \(7 \times 8\) and \(8 \times 7\) separately), the multiplication table shrinks from 144 facts to just 78 unique facts. Combined with the easy 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s patterns, students really only need to memorize about 30-40 challenging facts!
Trick #7: The Array and Area Model
Visual representations are essential tricks to teach multiplication tables, especially for visual learners. Arrays and area models show multiplication as arranging objects in rows and columns.
For \(5 \times 6\): Draw a rectangle with 5 rows and 6 columns of squares
Hands-On Activity: Give students graph paper and have them color in rectangles for different multiplication facts. For example, color a 4×7 rectangle (4 rows, 7 columns) and count the squares to verify \(4 \times 7 = 28\). This kinesthetic activity reinforces understanding through multiple learning modalities.
Trick #8: Real-World Application Stories
Making multiplication relevant is one of the most underutilized tricks to teach multiplication tables. When students see how multiplication applies to their lives, they're more motivated to learn.
Real-World Examples:
- Cooking: "If each cookie needs 2 chocolate chips and we're making 8 cookies, how many chips total?" \(2 \times 8 = 16\)
- Money: "You want to buy 6 toys that cost $4 each. How much money do you need?" \(6 \times 4 = 24\)
- Sports: "A basketball team scores 3 points per shot. After 7 shots, how many points?" \(3 \times 7 = 21\)
- Time: "There are 7 days in a week. How many days in 4 weeks?" \(7 \times 4 = 28\)
- Gardening: "Plant 5 seeds in each of 9 pots. How many seeds total?" \(5 \times 9 = 45\)
Trick #9: The Structured Drill Method
Effective practice is crucial among tricks to teach multiplication tables. Structured drill differs from random practice by following the natural structure of each times table.
Structured Drill Process:
- Say it in order: "7×1=7, 7×2=14, 7×3=21..." (builds pattern recognition)
- Say it faster: Repeat at increasing speeds to build automaticity
- Fill in blanks: "7×1=7, 7×2=__, 7×3=21, 7×4=__..." (active recall)
- Reverse order: "7×10=70, 7×9=63, 7×8=56..." (strengthens memory)
- Random testing: Only after mastery, quiz facts out of order
Practice Schedule: Short, frequent practice sessions (5-10 minutes daily) are far more effective than long, infrequent sessions (30 minutes once per week). Aim for daily practice of one table at a time until mastery, then mix tables for review.
Trick #10: Games and Interactive Activities
Transforming practice into play is one of the most motivating tricks to teach multiplication tables. Games reduce anxiety and increase engagement, leading to better retention.
Game Ideas:
- Multiplication War: Card game where players flip two cards and multiply them—highest product wins
- Around the World: Students compete to answer flash cards fastest, moving around the classroom
- Multiplication Bingo: Create bingo cards with products; call out multiplication problems
- Target Number: Roll two dice and multiply—first to reach target score wins
- Online Apps: Use educational apps like Prodigy, Times Tables Rock Stars, or Mathway for gamified practice
- Multiplication Hopscotch: Draw hopscotch with products; call out problems and students hop to answers
- Flash Card Races: Time students to see how many facts they can answer correctly in one minute
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Teaching Multiplication
Don't Rush: Teaching all tables at once overwhelms students. Focus on one table at a time until true mastery occurs. Don't move forward until the current table is automatic.
Don't Skip Understanding: Memorization without comprehension leads to forgetting. Always explain why tricks work and connect to concrete examples.
Don't Use Only One Method: Different students learn differently. Combine visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches for comprehensive understanding.
Don't Neglect Regular Review: Without consistent review, students forget previously learned tables. Mix old and new facts in practice sessions.
Don't Create Math Anxiety: Avoid timed tests until students feel confident. Pressure increases anxiety and hinders learning. Focus on progress, not perfection.
Assessment and Mastery Indicators
True mastery of multiplication tables means students can recall facts instantly without counting, using fingers, or calculating. When checking progress, students should answer within 2-3 seconds maximum. If they need more time, that fact requires additional practice.
- ✓ Answers facts automatically without hesitation
- ✓ Responds correctly to both \(6 \times 7\) and \(7 \times 6\)
- ✓ Maintains accuracy when facts are presented randomly
- ✓ Can explain the concept using different methods (arrays, skip counting, patterns)
- ✓ Applies facts correctly in word problems
Creating a Supportive Learning Environment
The environment in which students learn multiplication tables significantly impacts success. Create a positive, low-pressure atmosphere where mistakes are learning opportunities, not failures. Celebrate small victories—mastering one table is a significant achievement worthy of recognition. Use encouraging language: "You're getting closer!" rather than "That's wrong." Show enthusiasm for math yourself; attitudes are contagious. If you approach multiplication with dread, students will too. Instead, model curiosity and problem-solving.
Adapting for Different Learning Styles
Visual Learners: Emphasize arrays, color-coded charts, pattern grids, and area models. Let them create visual multiplication posters for each table.
Auditory Learners: Focus on skip counting songs, rhythmic chants, and verbal practice. Let them record themselves saying tables and play it back.
Kinesthetic Learners: Use manipulatives, movement games, hopscotch, and hands-on activities. The 9s finger trick is perfect for these learners.
Logical Learners: Explain the mathematical patterns, commutative property, and relationships between tables. Show why tricks work mathematically.
The Role of Technology in Learning Multiplication
Modern technology offers excellent supplementary tools for practicing multiplication tables. Educational apps provide immediate feedback, adapt to student levels, and track progress over time. However, technology should complement, not replace, conceptual understanding and teacher-guided instruction. Apps work best after students understand what multiplication means and have learned basic patterns. Use technology for practice and reinforcement, but ensure students can also solve problems without devices.
Long-Term Benefits of Multiplication Mastery
Strong multiplication fact fluency provides lifelong benefits beyond elementary school. Students with automatic recall of multiplication tables perform better in algebra, where factoring and equation solving depend on recognizing factor pairs quickly. They excel in higher mathematics including calculus, where computational fluency frees cognitive resources for conceptual understanding. In real life, quick multiplication skills help with budgeting, cooking, construction, and countless daily calculations. Perhaps most importantly, mastering multiplication builds mathematical confidence that encourages students to tackle more challenging math concepts with positive attitudes.
Final Encouragement: Remember that every child learns at their own pace. Some master multiplication tables in weeks, others need months—and that's completely normal. The tricks to teach multiplication tables shared in this guide work because they address different learning styles, reduce cognitive load, and make abstract concepts concrete. Be patient, stay consistent, and celebrate every victory along the way. With the right approach, any student can master multiplication tables and develop a strong mathematical foundation for future success.