How to learn the multiplication table quickly: effective methods and trainers

The multiplication table is one of the basic skills without which successful learning of mathematics is impossible. But many children and their parents face the fact that memorization is difficult: examples get confused, answers are forgotten, interest disappears.

The reason is that the table is often tried to be learned "head-on" — by repeated repetition. This is ineffective. Much faster is a combination of understanding, associations, and regular short trainings.

Why the multiplication table is not memorized

Main reasons:

• Rote memorization without understanding. The child memorizes "6 × 7 = 42", but does not understand where the number comes from.
• Too much volume at once. An attempt to learn the whole table in one evening overloads memory.
• Lack of system. Examples are repeated chaotically, without connection to each other.
• Boredom. Monotonous repetition reduces motivation.

Conclusion: instead of mechanical repetition, meaningful techniques and regularity are needed.

Order of learning multipliers

Not all multipliers are equally difficult. Learn them in this order:

1. By 1, 2, 10 — the easiest. The child quickly understands the logic.
2. By 5 — answers always end in 0 or 5.
3. By 9 — the sum of digits of the result is always 9.
4. By 3, 4 — mastered through doubling and addition.
5. By 6, 7, 8 — the most difficult, leave them for last.

This order reduces the load and allows you to consolidate success at each step.

Methods for memorizing the multiplication table

1. Understanding through addition

Explain to the child that multiplication is fast addition of identical numbers:

3 × 4 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12

When the child sees where the result comes from, it is easier for him to remember.

2. Commutative law

The product does not change when the multipliers are rearranged:

3 × 4 = 4 × 3 = 12

This means that instead of 100 examples, you only need to learn 45 — the rest are derived automatically.

3. Flashcards-trainers

The most effective method for most children. On one side of the card is an example (7 × 8), on the other — the answer (56). The child takes the card, answers, flips it over, and checks. Those that caused difficulties are put into a separate pile and repeated more often.

4. Pythagoras table

This is a square table where the product is at the intersection of a row and a column. It is easier to use than a regular table because the structure is visible: numbers are symmetric about the diagonal.

👉 View the table.

5. Associations and images

For complex examples, invent visual stories. For example:

• 6 × 7 = 42. "Six and seven — 42. As if 6 and 7 are two friends who together make 42."
• 7 × 8 = 56. "Five-six-seven-eight" — the numbers go in order, the answer is 56.
• 8 × 9 = 72. "Eight and nine — 72. As if 8 and 9 are neighbors, their product is 72."

Tips for complex examples

Multiplying by 9 "on fingers"

Place your hands palms down. To multiply 9 by a number n, bend the n-th finger from the left. Fingers to the left of the bent one are tens, to the right are ones.

Example: 9 × 4. Bend the 4th finger. On the left — 3 fingers (30), on the right — 6 (6). Answer: 36.

Multiplying by 5 by dividing by 2

To multiply a number by 5, multiply it by 10 and divide by 2:

8 × 5 = (8 × 10) / 2 = 80 / 2 = 40

Multiplying by 9 by subtraction

Multiply the number by 10 and subtract the number itself from the result:

9 × 7 = (10 × 7) − 7 = 70 − 7 = 63

Multiplying by 11 for two-digit numbers

Add the digits of the number and insert the sum between them:

23 × 11 → 2 (2+3) 3 → 253

Square of a number ending in 5

Multiply the first digit by itself plus 1 and add 25:

35² → 3 × 4 = 12 → 1225

Methods by the child's perception type

For visual learners

• Cards with bright pictures.
• Colored tables (for example, Pythagoras table with highlighted rows).
• Schemes and drawings: "3 × 4" drawn as 3 groups of 4 objects.

For auditory learners

• Saying examples aloud.
• Rhymes and songs: "seven five — thirty-five".
• Audio trainers: listen to examples and repeat answers.

For kinesthetic learners

• Counting on fingers.
• Laying out objects (buttons, candies) into groups.
• Walking on numbers on the floor, jumping to the right answer.

How to practice correctly

Even the best methods do not work without regular practice. A few rules:

• 15 minutes a day is better than 2 hours once a week. Short sessions are more effective than long ones.
• Start with the easy. Warm-up on simple examples increases confidence.
• Repeat complex examples more often. If 7 × 8 is difficult — return to it in every session.
• Use online trainers. They give instant feedback and make the process game-like.
• Praise for progress, not for the perfect result. This maintains motivation.

👉 Go to the online trainer "Multiplication table".

Compiled by: Alexey Pavlov, mathematics teacher.
Source: practical teaching experience in primary school and tutoring.
Last updated: 11.10.2026.