Times Tables
by
Chandrakant Doshi
Email: chandra@agnani.co.uk
Abstract :
This note outlines a novel approach to help the children learn the Times Tables.
One topic in mathematics that turns children off the subject is the learning of times or multiplication tables. Many approaches have been devised to help children in memorising these tables. As they progress through the school, recalling multiplication of two numbers is required for manytopics in maths.
Another approach to help the children learn these times tables is presented here. Parents and grandparents can play an important part here. Children love to play games and they definitely love to show off. What better way then to invite a child/grandchild to test their parents/grandparents knowledge of times table? This becomes a game and there is plenty of opportunity to show off. Incentive to learn the tables comes automatically with the game.
Multiplication tables run from 2 to 10 or 12. Generally they are printed as columns but they can also be printed in a grid format. The latter are for use by the older children. To help children learn their times tables with greater interest a partially filled grid of the times table could also be utilised. This should engage their minds in working out the missing steps.
Once a child has learnt the times table then applying that knowledge involves the child running through, in her/his mind, that particular table starting from one. They carry on till the required multiplier is reached.
Here the times 5 table provides some advantage. Multiplication of any two numbers, where at least one number is greater than 5, can be performed with increasing ease than the usual method of running through, in their mind or by the use of fingers, the times table of one of the number, starting from 1.
Children could be shown how to utilise their knowledge of times 5 table to run through the multipliers higher than 5. With right sort of examples their knowledge of times tables can be reinforced.
Let us take a specific example. We wish to know the result of multiplying 7 x 3. We could run through the times table for 3, starting from 1 till we arrive at 7.
Another way is to go straight to the times 5 table. We have 3 times 5 = 15, then running forward we have 3 times 6 = 18 and finally 3 times 7 = 21.
In both cases the result is 7 x 3 = 21.
This requires mastering times 5 table thoroughly. Children learn times 10 table very quickly, once they realise that all they need to do is put 0 at the end of the number being multiplied. Times 5 table has a similar ease of obtaining the result: multiplication by 5 results in a number ending in either 5 or 0. This should prove a great help to mastering the times 5 table. Children will quickly pick up the fact that multiplying 5 by an even number always results in the number ending in 0. Even 0, odd 5 becomes the rule. This proves an easy introduction to odd or even numbers.
Times tables can also be printed in a grid format (see Table A1). Familiarising its use helps a child to see the multiplication in reverse order, ie, 3*7=7*3. A challenge for a child is to start using a partially filled multiplication table so the child gets to reinforce his knowledge of the table in small step. Table A2 is an example of a partially filled multiplication table. Similar tables can be prepared as necessary.
Children, and perhaps even the parents, may need to be taught how to use these Tables. One way to proceed is to let the child ask a few questions using the table. Then gradually permit the child to pick some questions from the tables and encourage the child to ask more questions from memory only. Proceeding this way the child should be able to come up with more questions from memory to test their parent/grandparent.
Parents are busy people and not all may find time to practice such exercises with their children. Grandparents, if living near, could prove helpful if they are prepared to undertake the task. Some parents may need to learn their times tables but their experience and maturity should make this task fairly easy.
