4 and 8 times tables

Hello!

Next in my Times Tables series: 4s and 8s.

The 4s and 8s (along with the 3s) are introduced in Year 3. I've bundled them together, as there are a lot of patterns and tricks that link them. A lot of children find 8s tricky, but knowing their 4s well can help!

As with any times tables, it's useful to begin by skip counting in that number: 4, 8, 12, 16...

It is also useful to identify the facts you already know, for example a pupil in Year 3 should be already comfortable with their 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s.

Therefore, they already know the times tables facts:

2 x 4 = 8 2 x 8 = 16

3 x 4 = 12 3 x 8 = 24

5 x 4 = 20 5 x 8 = 40

10 x 4 = 40 10 x 8 = 80

It's really useful to remember these key facts, and use them to help answer tricker questions.

For example:

You know: 5 x 4 = 20

To find: 6 x 4, we can do: (5 x 4) + (1 x 4) or 20 + one more 4

So 6 x 4 = 24

This is a particularly useful trick for working out the 9s!

If you know: 10 x 4 = 40

To find: 9 x 4, we can do: (10 x 4) - (1 x 4) or 40 - one less 4

So 9 x 4 = 36

Things to remember about the 4s and 8s:

The product (answer of two numbers multiplied) is always even.

Doubling is very helpful!

We know that the 2 times table, is the same as doubling.

Well, the 4s are just double that

And the 8s, are double that!

For example:

To find the 4 times table:

Double the multiplier (the number you're multiplying) and double again

So for: 7 x 4

Double 7 = 14 Then double 14 = 28 So 7 x 4 = 28

To find the 8 times table, you can then double that answer again!

Double 28 = 56 So 7 x 8 = 56

If you know the 4 times table, you can just double that, to find your 8s!

4 x 4 = 16 Double 16 = 32 so 4 x 8 = 32

Another fun trick that helps some children with their 8s, is this pattern trick!

Tens: Write 0-9 in order, but write 4 and 8 twice!

Ones: Write even numbers backwards and repeat (8,6,4,2,0...)

T O

08

16

24

32

40

48

56

64

72

80

88

96

As in my previous blog, regularly practise times tables:

• Partner games

  • Times Table Tennis! One of you 'serves' a times table and the other 'passes back' the answer. Use a tennis motion with your arms when you're passing the facts back and forth! Challenge: provide the answer, they have to send back the multiplication fact.

  • Rock, Paper, Scissors, Times Tables! Both of you clap and say "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Times Tables" then you each old up a number of fingers. Times the two numbers together. Whoever says the answer first wins a point. First to 10 points wins. If you're an adult playing with a child, put your fingers up as the times tables they are specifically working on, such as the 8s.

• Chanting and skip counting

  • Count forwards in jumps of 4 or 8. Count up to 12 x 8

  • Count backwards in 4s or 8s.

  • Set challenges, such as walking up the stairs and count in 8s on every step. When they come down the stairs, count backwards.

• Songs

  • Look online for songs and rhymes for times tables (I particularly like 'Scratch Garden')

  • Make your own songs!

• Practise division facts too

  • It's important to practise division facts. Mix them into your games and activities.

• Quick fire questions

  • Mix multiplication and division questions

  • Make sure you test all the times tables, don't forget the lower ones like 2s and 3s!

  • Build it into your routine: travelling to school, when making dinner, walking the dog

• Practise with them! How quickly can you do your 8 times tables?!

Check back in soon for more times tables top tips!

Feel free to drop me an email or book a call with me for any specific help you might want or if you'd be interested in booking tutoring or home-education lessons for your child.

I look forward to starting our learning journey together!

Alice