The Basic Times Tables

For many students, learning the basic times tables can be a real challenge, and they long for the day they can rely on a calculator. However, with a little effort and practice, they can save the calculator for more complex problems. Just like memorizing vocabulary in English, mastering the chords on a musical instrument, or perfecting your throw in ball sports, practicing the times tables repeatedly is essential to truly internalize them and get them just right.

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Think about daily activities where you can integrate practicing the times tables.

Example: While Brushing Your Teeth

• Each day, focus on one row. Start with the 2s and try to go as far as you can.
• The next day, practice the same row backward.
• On the following day, write down 10 problems from the 2 times table on a sticky note and attach it to your mirror.

This way, you can explore different rows and practice various multiplication problems alongside your daily routine.

At school, you’ll do many exercises to help you understand the times tables. This understanding is crucial for applying multiplication in real-world contexts and solving problems. However, understanding alone isn’t enough—you need to master the times tables fluently.

This means you should know the answers instantly when presented with a problem. The only way to achieve this is through consistent practice. The good news? With enough effort, your brain can process these problems faster than others can type them into a calculator!