Multiplication Fact Square

Math for Parents

Tim Whiteford PhD

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
2	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
3	3	6	9	12	15	18	21	24	27	30
4	4	8	12	16	20	24	28	32	36	40
5	5	10	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50
6	6	12	18	24	30	36	42	48	54	60
7	7	14	21	28	35	42	49	56	63	70
8	8	16	24	32	40	48	56	64	72	80
9	9	18	27	36	45	54	63	72	81	90
10	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100

Multiplication Fact Strategies

1. For use with the 10 x 10 square

Here are some strategies to reduce the separate number of facts you need to remember for use with the Multiplication square.

	A number multiplied by 0 is 0 (1 fact)
	A number multiplied by 1 remains the same number; hint, the same as counting (1)
	A number multiplied by ten adds a 0 (1)
	The doubles ( 2 x 4, 2 x 5 etc) Hint; the product is always an even number. (8)
	The square facts (3 x 3, 5 x 5 etc) Hint: visualize a square. (7)
	The rest – focus on remembering each of these 21 separate facts. (21)
	The turn around fact ( 4 x 9 is the same as 9 x 4) Hint 4 x 9 = 36 = 9 x 4 (1)

This makes a total of 40 facts to be remembered instead of 100.

2. For use with Multiplication tables

If you prefer using multiplication tables, here are some strategies that will help you remember the facts.

Set the tables up like this 1 x 9, 2 x 9, 3 x 9 and not the other way round. You can now use the "think repeated addition" strategy. e.g. 3 x 9 is the same as 9 +9 +9

When remembering the 2s, think of the even number sequence

Count by 3s for the 3x table.

Just double the 2s for the 4x facts.

For the 5s think alternate 5 and 0 in the ones place.

For the 7s think of touchdowns in a football game (if you like football)

Just remove the multiplying number from that many tens for the 9s. e.g. 8 x 9 = (8 x 10) - 8 = 72

For 10s just add a zero.

Use flash cards or oral “rapid fire”. Keep note of the "forgotten" or “unremembered” ones by making 2 piles; one with remembered facts and one with not remembered facts.

3 seconds is the standard recall time.

Note:

These are tricks and techniques for remembering the facts only. An understanding of the multiplication concepts is still required to use the facts effectively.

For more information contact Dr. Tim Whiteford at twhiteford@sbschools.net