Multiplication patterns

Ages 9 to 12 Read alone or together · about 25 minutes

Read together

Multiplication is repeated adding. 4 × 3 means four groups of three, which is 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.

Patterns make the tables easier. In the 9 times table, the digits of each answer add up to 9: 18, 27, 36, 45.

Order does not matter: 4 × 3 and 3 × 4 both make 12.

Do it

1. Draw a multiplication square from 1 to 10. Fill in the answers you know. Colour the 9s, the 5s and the 10s.
2. Find two patterns: in the 5s, the last digit is 5 or 0; the 10s always end in 0.
3. Use grids of dots: draw an array of 6 rows and 4 columns. Count in rows and then in columns.
4. Play a game: roll two dice and multiply the numbers. First to 100 points wins.

Talk about it

• What pattern do you see in the 9s?
• Why does 6 × 4 equal 4 × 6?

For the grown-up

Understanding multiplication as groups and arrays, and noticing patterns, helps memorising the tables later. Practise a few minutes a day instead of long sessions.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

This is a play and practice activity with no factual claims to source.

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.