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Saturday, August 10, 2013

How to Learn Times Tables

Knowing the times tables, also known as the multiplication tables, is an important mathematical rite of passage. The tables include the number sentences 1 x 1, 1 x 2 and so on all the way to 12 x 12 and their answers. After students have reached third grade, math texts and tests assume that they know their multiplication tables. As adults we don't have worksheets to solve, but we do need to know our times tables as we calculate prices at the grocery store, contemplate our pay rates and pay our bills.

Instructions

Learn the Times Tables

    1

    Skip count. Skip counting is the process of counting by a certain number, such as by 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24. Skip counting helps with times tables because each skip count can also be a multiplication fact. If you can skip count by 5s, for example, then you know 5 (1 x 5), 10 (2 x 5), 15 (3 x 5), 20 (4 x 5) and so on. Use a paper and pencil to write out the skip counts to help you memorize them.

    2

    Make flashcards. Instead of buying flashcards, get extra practice by writing out your own times tables flash cards. Include the whole problem (such as 4 x 6 = 24) on one side and the number sentence (4 x 6) on the other. A friend can then quiz you, or you can quiz yourself. Put the ones you get wrong to the side so that you can review them.

    3

    Study the multiplication chart, which is a table that shows the answers to multiplication facts for numbers 1 through 12. Print a copy of the chart, such as that found at Mathisfun.com. You can also use the chart to help you practice skip counting.

    4

    Remember that multiplication is commutative. That means if you know that 6 x 10 is 60, you also know the answer to 10 x 6. As you work on learning your times tables, this cuts your work in half. Instead of having to memorize 3 x 5 = 15 and 5 x 3 = 15, all you have to remember is that whenever you have those two numbers multiplied together, the answer will be 15.

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