6 times table

Hello!

The 6s are a tricky times table, for children and sometimes adults! As with the others we've looked at so far, there are some top tricks to help.

I think it's interesting to note; recent research has found that 9 x 6 is thought of as the most difficult times table. It reflects that both the 9s and 6s are hard! It is worth also saying that both 9 x 6 and 6 x 9 were deemed tricky. As they are commutative, they give the same answer- which is useful to remember!

See my blog about commutativity for more tips!

If you learn nothing else from today just remember!

9 x 6 = 54 and 6 x 9 = 54

Top tips for learning 6s:

The most common (and probably straightforward) way to remember your 6s, is to use your 5 times tables.

If you know: 7 x 5 = 35

To find: 7 x 6, we can do: (7 x 5) + (7 x 1) or 35 + one more 7

So 7 x 6 = 42

A useful trick to remember this:

Hold up the number of fingers you're multiplying

Count in 5s by that number

Now add the number of fingers you're holding up

(It's the same as counting in 5s then counting in 1s)

So, for the above example of 7 x 6:

Hold up 7 fingers

Count in 5s for each of those fingers (7 x 5 = 35)

Now add the number of fingers your holding, which is 7 (some children might want to count on in ones on their fingers, which is a good starting point, but don't encourage they do this all the time).

35 + 7 = 42

So, 7 x 6 = 42

It's useful to remember that in the 6s: the product (answer of two numbers multiplied)is always even. This is worth recalling; if you have an answer that is odd, then it must be wrong.

Another trick, is to double the 3 times table, as double 3 is 6.

Children learn to count in 3s in Year 2, and learn their 3 times table in Year 3. They will likely be relatively confident in them.

0 x 3 = 0​ 0 x 6 = 0​

1 x 3 = 3​ 1 x 6 = 6

2 x 3 = 6​ 2 x 6 = 12

3 x 3 = 9 3 x 6 = 18

4 x 3 = 12​ 4 x 6 = 24

5 x 3 = 15​ 5 x 6 = 30

6 x 3 = 18 6 x 6 = 36

7 x 3 = 21​ 7 x 6 = 42

8 x 3 = 24​ 8 x 6 = 48

9 x 3 = 27 9 x 6 = 54

10 x 3 = ​30 10 x 6 = ​60

11 x 3 = 33 11 x 6 = 66

12 x 3 = 36 12 x 6 = 72

As with any of these tips, find the ones that work for you!

Have a look at my other blogs for specific Times Tables tips.

And for some fun games and activities to support your child's practise:

Feel free to drop me an email or book a free call 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