7 times tables
- May 28
- 3 min read
Hello,
Another tricky tables, is the 7s. They're taught in Year 4, and are often one of the last to be learnt. As they're hard, this is a good thing! By this point, children will know their 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 times tables and likely have learnt (or be learning) their 6, 9 and 12s.
It is therefore really important to remember commutativity! If a child comes across the calculation 5 x 7, this might throw them if they're not yet confident in their 7s. However, they know their 5s well! Commutativity means changing the order, doesn't change the result.
5 x 7 = 7 x 5
Therefore, if they know that 7 x 5 = 35 then they also know that 5 x 7 = 35.
The reason 7s are so hard is because 7 is a prime number. This means there's no obvious patterns or tricks! Unlike the other times tables we've looked at that have patterns (like the 5s), finger tricks (like the 9s or 6s) or can be doubled (like the 4s and 8s) there is nothing easy for the brain to latch on to. This is why the 7s are taught later on, so you already know all those other tricks!
That said, there are a couple of things you can do to help remember the 7s.
Partition 7 into 5 and 2. Find 5 x your multiplier and add 2 x.
To find 4 x 7:
(4 x 5) + (4 x 2)
20 + 8 = 28
4 x 7 = 28
It can help to chunk facts into pairs to help you remember them! Remember two facts at a time.
1 x 7 = 7 & 2 x 7 = 14
3 x 7 = 21 & 4 x 7 = 28
5 x 7 = 35 & 6 x 7 = 42
7 x 7 = 49 & 8 x 7 = 56
9 x 7 = 63 & 10 x 7 = 70
11 x 7 = 77 & 12 x 7 = 84
A little trick, specifically for 7 x 8, is this number pattern:
5,6,7,8
56=7x8
The key with learning your 7s is to practise! Which is, of course, true with all of the times tables! But as said, particularly important when there isn't the same tricks and patterns to help you remember. Don't forget to look up online songs (or make your own), chanting or skip counting, and other fun activities like partner games.
If you're an adult playing with a child, ask questions on the times tables they are specifically working on, such as the 7s.
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.
Have a look at my other blogs for specific Times Tables tips.
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
