9 times table
- May 25
- 2 min read
Hello,
A tricky one today - the 9s!
Recent research has found that the four trickiest times tables all involve 9:
9 x 6
6 x 9
9 x 7
3 x 9
It is worth remembering that times tables are commutative so 3 x 9 = 9 x 3
If you're more confident in your 3s, then this should help.
See my blog about commutativity for more tips!
The good news, is that there's loads of tricks to help you remember the 9s. It is worth trying them all, and finding which one you click with! I remember learning the finger trick when I was at primary school, and it's stuck with me!
Use your 10s:
Often children are most confident in their 10s, use this to help your 9s.
If you know: 10 x 7 = 70
To find: 9 x 7, we can do: (10 x 7) - (1 x 7) or 70 - one less 7
So 9 x 7 = 63
Another fun trick that helps some children with their 9s, is this pattern trick!
Tens: Write 0-10 in order, but write 9 twice!
Ones: Write 9-0 counting backwards, then repeat
T O
09
18
27
36
45
54
63
72
81
90
99
108
The products (answer of two numbers multiplied) are reversed (up to 10 x 9). So if you know the first 5 times tables, you can easily remember the next 5!
09, 18, 27, 36, 45
90, 81, 72, 63, 54
If you add the tens digit and the ones digit in the product, it will always equal 9!
In 36 3 + 6 = 9
In 45 4 + 5 = 9
This is useful to remember, if you've written an answer but you're not sure it's right, the first thing to do is to see if the digits add up to 9.
To find the first digit (the tens), just remember that it's one less than the number you're multiplying. For example:
8 x 9
One less than 8 is 7. So there will be 7 tens.
If you also know that the two digits add up to equal 9, then you can work out the ones.
7 + ? = 9
7 + 2 = 9
So our answer will have 7 tens + 2 ones = 72
Watch the video to learn the finger trick!
Check out my other blogs for specific Times Tables tips, and 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
