Year 3 · Mathematics
Times tables for Year 3: patterns and tricks that make them stick
Times tables are the building blocks for multiplication, division and fractions. Learning the patterns behind them means fewer facts to memorise and an easy way to work out any fact you forget.
Stuck? Ask the free AI tutor
Try asking: “What is 7 × 8?”
Turn it around
Multiplication works in any order: 3 × 8 is the same as 8 × 3. That halves the number of facts you need to learn.
Use doubling
- × 2 is doubling.
- × 4 is doubling twice.
- × 8 is doubling three times.
Patterns to spot
- × 10: the digits move one place to the left (6 × 10 = 60).
- × 5: half of × 10 (5 × 8 is half of 80, which is 40).
- × 9: × 10, then take away one lot (9 × 6 = 60 − 6 = 54).
Build from a fact you know
Forgot 6 × 7? If you know 5 × 7 = 35, add one more 7 to get 42.
Worked examples
What is 6 × 7?
- Start from a known fact: 5 × 7 = 35.
- Add one more 7: 35 + 7 = 42.
Answer: 42
What is 8 × 4?
- × 4 is double, double.
- 8 × 2 = 16, then 16 × 2 = 32.
Answer: 32
What is 9 × 6?
- 10 × 6 = 60.
- Take away one 6: 60 − 6 = 54.
Answer: 54
Common mistakes to watch for
- Mixing up 6 × 8 and 7 × 8 — check with 5 × 8 = 40 and count on.
- Counting in ones instead of skip-counting in the times table.
Practice questions
Try these, then reveal the answers. For more questions with hints, use the tutor.
1. What is 7 × 8?
Show answer
56
2. What is 6 × 9?
Show answer
54
3. What is 4 × 12?
Show answer
48
4. What is 3 × 7?
Show answer
21
5. What is 5 × 8?
Show answer
40
For parents
How can I help my child learn times tables?
Little and often works best: five minutes a day, focusing on a couple of facts at a time, and always connecting new facts to ones they already know.