Picture 4 bags of apples with 5 apples in each bag. Instead of counting one by one, you can multiply: 4 times 5 = 20. Times tables are a super-fast way to count equal groups.
Why this matters: Multiplication helps you work out the cost of lots of the same thing, share treats into equal groups, and count quickly when you are helping at home.
Multiplication is repeated adding
3 x 4 means "3 lots of 4": 4 + 4 + 4 = 12. It is the same as 4 x 3 (4 lots of 3) which also equals 12. Swapping the numbers gives the same answer.
Arrays help you see it
An array is a neat grid of dots. Here are 2 rows of 5, which shows 2 x 5 = 10.
Handy tables to know
| Table | Trick |
|---|---|
| 10s | Just add a 0: 6 x 10 = 60 |
| 5s | Count in fives, they end in 5 or 0 |
| 2s | Doubles: 2 x 7 = 14 |
| 4s | Double, then double again |
| 8s | Double the 4 times table |
2-digit by 1-digit
Split the 2-digit number into tens and units, multiply each part, then add.
23 x 4: 20 x 4 = 80, 3 x 4 = 12, 80 + 12 = 92