Each of the digits in the answers to the 9x table, add to make 9:

It struck me I don’t know if I’ve shared with you the 9x tables trick. I shared the multiplying 11 by double digits the other day, but I’m not sure about the 9’s.

The 9’s are my favourite times table to support as there are so many tricks. The first is if you write them all down, as the 10’s column goes up by 1 each time, the one’s column goes down by one:

1x9 =9

2x9=18

3x9=27

4x9 = 36

5x9= 45

6x9=54

7x9=63

8x9=72

9x9=81

10x9=90

(the pattern adjusts slightly at 11, but then it restarts after)

11x9=99

12x9=108

Put the other thing to notice is, each of the digits in the answers add to make 9:

7x9=63

6+3=9

2x9=18

1+8=9

It works with bigger answers too, if I was to take 31x9, my answer would be 279

2+7+9= 18

1+8=9

If you’re working with the 9x table and you want to check your answer, if the digits don’t add to make 9, you probably need to try again.

Then finally, my favourite trick is the one with the hands.

Start by holding your 2 hands out in front of you fingers outstretched.

We’ll start by working out 6x9

Starting at the first finger on the left count along until you get to the 6th finger, (which is probably your thumb on your right hand).

Put that thumb/finger down.

Everything to the left of that finger is a 10.

So, count each finger as a 10, until you get to the finger which is help down, they state stop or change.

Everything to the right of that finger is a 1.

I have 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, stop. 51, 52, 53, 54.

54 is your answer.

6x9=54

Try it again with another one if you want to.

Let’s try 9x9

So, this time, if you put down the 9th finger from the left.

Again, everything to the left of that finger is a 10. Everything to the right is worth a 1.

So, we have:

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, stop. 81

9x9= 81

I think that is so clever.

I hope it helps you too if you didn’t know it.

Our goal at Clara James Tutoring is to make learning fun and accessible to everyone. If children are engaged in what they are doing they are more likely to want to participate, if they are enjoying it, they are more likely to relax and retain the information.

If they are retaining the information it will help boost their knowledge and with knowledge comes confidence.

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