Memorizing your multiplication tables is a very important step in being good at math and is helpful in many real-life situations. You may think there is a lot to learn, but if you divide them into sections and practice every day, you'll be on your way to memorizing them in no time. You can even use songs, books, videos, and games to make learning fun!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Memorize Effectively
Step 1. Make a table of multiplication tables
It should be a large square divided into 10 vertical sections (columns) and 10 horizontal sections (rows) so that they form 100 small squares. Put a number in each column from 1 to 10 from left to right. Also, list the rows from 1 to 10 from top to bottom. Then, in each box write the result obtained by multiplying the number in the row with the number in the column. For example, the box in row 2 and column 3 must be 6 because 2 times 3 equals 6.
- Put the painting somewhere you see frequently, like the refrigerator or your bedroom.
- If you are going to memorize up to the table of 12 and not until the table of 10, make 12 columns and 12 rows to your table, so that you have 144 cells in total.
Step 2. Practice counting by 2 by 2, by 3 by 3, and by 4 by 4
This is called "skipping counting." Start with the number you are going to count by, then add the same number to it. For example, if you are going to count from 3 to 3, you will say “3, 6, 9, 12…” because these are the numbers you get if you add 3. This way you will remember what numbers are obtained when multiplied by 2, 3 or 4.
Step 3. Practice reciting columns 2, 3, and 4 in order
Look at your multiplication table and read the column of 2, 3 and 4 aloud. For example, you would say "2 times 1 is 2, 2 times 2 is 4, 2 times 3 is 6" and so on.
Practice them for about 5-10 minutes twice a day until you can easily do it without looking at the chart
Step 4. Learn the tables of 2, 3 and 4 backwards
Start at the end of each column and begin reciting backwards. For example, for the table of 2, you would start like this: "2 times 10 is 20, 2 times 9 is 18", and so on. Do this until you can say the tables backwards without looking.
Step 5. Ask someone to take what you just learned from you
Ask a friend to ask you multiplication questions with the numbers 2, 3, and 4. Tell him to first take you in order (“How much is 2 times 1? How much is 2 times 2? How many is 2 times 3? ?" and so on). Do this for 5 to 10 minutes twice a day until you can answer each question easily, then ask him to ask you the same questions, but in disarray ("How much is 3 times 7? How much is 2 times 5?", among others).
Step 6. Have someone ask you multiplication questions backwards
Instead of being asked "how much is 2 times 3?", They ask you "6 is 2 times how much?" This will help you understand each multiplication problem from back to front.
Sometimes it is easier to see the numbers, as you will get used to seeing some combinations. Try word problems too
Step 7. Write multiplication problems on triangular cards
Cut cardboard triangles and write the two numbers to be multiplied in 2 corners and the answer in the third corner. This way, you can take a quiz by looking at the two corners and determining what goes into the third. Do this only when you feel comfortable answering multiplication questions backwards. This exercise also helps you learn division.
You can also find triangular multiplication cards to print at this address:
Step 8. Repeat this process for the rest of the multiplication tables
Divide the missing columns and memorize the tables of 5, 6 and 7, then those of 8, 9 and 10 (and those of 11 and 12 if you are going to learn them).
Don't stop practicing the columns when you've already learned them
Method 2 of 3: Make Learning Fun for Kids
Step 1. Read stories about multiplication
There are many stories that help a reader find the logic behind multiplication, such as "The Best of Times" by Greg Tang. Learning with funny stories will help you remember the answers to complicated multiplication questions.
Step 2. Play the “Math Card War” with a friend
Take a deck of conventional cards and remove all the picture cards (jacks, queens, kings, and jokers). Divide the deck equally among the people who are playing. On each turn, each player will draw 2 cards from the top of the deck and multiply the number of the first by the number of the second. Whoever gets the highest result wins that turn and keeps the cards that the other players put down. The player who ends up with all the cards wins the game.
Step 3. Play a multiplication game like "Timez Attack."
This is a free computer game designed for players to learn multiplication tables. Ask an adult or a parent to help you download it to a computer that you can use.
Greg Tang's website also has fun multiplication games like Kakooma, a puzzle that lets you choose the correct answer from a pattern:
Step 4. Use songs to help you memorize the multiplication tables
You can find fun songs about multiplication on the internet with the help of your parents or your teacher. If not, ask the librarian in your area if there are any CDs of multiplication songs in the library.
Look up “Mr. DeMaio's Multiplication Table Song” or “NumbeRock Math Songs” on YouTube for educational songs
Step 5. Watch videos about multiplication tables
You can ask an adult to help you find multiplication songs on the internet or ask for a video series like "Times Tales." Learning with stories, pictures, and sounds will give you more ways to remember the multiplication table.
Step 6. Use an application to learn to multiply
"Llama Drama", "Understanding Math Times Tables" and "Montessori Math: Multiplication" are well-rated math learning apps that your parents can download to a phone or tablet. "Zap Zap Math" is another fun application that is free to download.
Step 7. Set goals and reward yourself when you achieve them
If your goal is to memorize tables 2, 3, and 4 in a week, talk to your parents about something fun you could do if you meet your goal, like go to eat ice cream or go to the movies. Remember that you will only get the reward if you achieve your goal, so try hard!
You can also put a star or gold sticker on the side of each row of the multiplication table that you have memorized to record how much you have learned
Method 3 of 3: Use Tricks and Shortcuts
Step 1. Use your fingers to count when you are multiplying
If you want to check your answers, try skipping counting with your fingers and pick up one for each number. For example, if the operation is 2 x 6, you can count on your fingers two by two until you have 6 fingers up. When you lift your sixth finger, you will have to count 12, which will be the correct answer.
Step 2. Find the answer with “important numbers”
You can use the multiplication problems you do know to solve the ones you don't know. If you don't know what 5 x 6 is, but you do know what 6 x 6 is, find the answer for the latter and then subtract 6. Each time the operation you are working on is close to one that you know, solve the one you know and then add or subtract a number to get the correct answer.
Step 3. Learn the trick of the 9 table
Spread your fingers in front of you and count them from left to right until you reach the number that you are multiplying by 9 (for example, if you are multiplying 9 by 3, count 3 fingers). Bend that finger down. Now count the ones that are spread out on the left side, the result will be the first digit of the answer. Then count the fingers that are on the right, this result will be the second digit.