Table strategy: 1× more and 1× less
You learn to work out hard times table facts with an easy helper sum from the 5 or 10 times table.
How to work it out
- Use an easy helper sum of 5× or 10×.
- Work out 6× by adding 1× to 5×.
- Work out 9× by taking 1× away from 10×.
6 × 4
A worked example
6 × 7
- Think of the helper sum from the 5 times table: 5 × 7 = 35.
- Add another 1 × 7 on top: 35 + 7 = 42.
- So 6 × 7 = 42.
More examples
9 × 8
- Think of the helper sum from the 10 times table: 10 × 8 = 80.
- Take away 1 × 8: 80 − 8 = 72.
- So 9 × 8 = 72.
4 × 7
- Think of 5 × 7 = 35.
- Take away 1 × 7: 35 − 7 = 28.
- So 4 × 7 = 28.
Try it yourself
Use the helper sum and add one more 7
6 × 7 = ? (think of 5 × 7 = 35)
Use the helper sum and take one 7 away
4 × 7 = ? (think of 5 × 7 = 35)
Watch out
When you do 6 × 7, you accidentally add 6 instead of 7.
You always add one more lot of the table number: in the 7 times table, you add 7.
Tips
- For 6× you do 5× plus 1×. For 4× you do 5× minus 1×. For 9× you do 10× minus 1×.
Why it works
You often know the 5 and 10 times tables by heart. When you need 6×, you do 5× plus another 1×. For 9×, you do 10× minus 1×. This way you do not have to learn hard facts by heart.