Year 4 times tables: learn the facts up to 12 × 12
Learn Year 4 times tables up to 12 × 12 by using equal groups and facts you already know. Work through examples, watch an explanation, then practise with our game or a worksheet you can complete online or print.
Allow about 45–60 minutes for this lesson. Take a break or finish another day if you need to. Recalling every fact takes shorter practice over time.
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A times-table fact tells you the total in equal groups.
Ellis is packing pencil kits for art club. Each tray needs the same number of pencils.
If a times-table answer won’t come to mind, start with a fact you know. See how equal groups fit together, work out a harder fact, then turn it into division facts.
An array arranges objects in equal rows and columns. Here, we use counters.
What you’ll learn
Explain what the groups in an array represent.
Build a harder multiplication fact from easier facts.
Use the same total to answer two division questions.
Try your method on a different problem.
This lesson helps you work out facts. Regular practice helps you recall them.
1 · SEE THE GROUPS
Seven groups, eight in each
Each row below has eight counters. There are seven rows. We can describe this as 7 × 8: seven groups of eight.
8 in each row · 56 altogether
7 rows of 8 make 56.
The line splits the array into five rows and two rows. It hasn’t changed the number of counters.
Five rows: 5 × 8 = 40.
Two rows: 2 × 8 = 16.
Put the parts together: 40 + 16 = 56.
7 × 8 = (5 × 8) + (2 × 8) = 56
Why isn’t the answer 7 + 8?
7 + 8 adds the two numbers once. This array has seven groups, with eight counters in every group.
2 · FIND ANOTHER ROUTE
Split the same array a different way
Seven rows of four make 28. Two sets of seven rows of four make 56. This time, split each row into four and four.
4 in each row · 28 altogether
4 in each row · 28 altogether
Each picture shows one half. Put the two halves together: 28 + 28 = 56. Which route would you choose for 7 × 8? Explain your choice aloud or on paper.
3 · REMOVE A WHOLE GROUP
Use ten groups to find nine
Ten groups of eight make 80. Cross out one whole row of eight, leaving nine rows.
8 in each row · 72 left
9 × 8 = 80 − 8 = 72
Need a hint?
Why subtract 8 rather than 1?
You removed one group. That group contains eight counters, so the total falls by eight.
4 · CONNECT MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION
Same total, different questions
Seven rows of eight and eight rows of seven both contain 56 counters. This is the same array turned around.
7 in each row · 56 altogether
Share between seven trays
Share 56 counters equally between seven trays. Each tray gets eight.
56 ÷ 7 = 8
Make groups of eight
Put 56 counters into groups of eight. There are seven groups.
56 ÷ 8 = 7
5 · EXPLORE ANOTHER FACT
Choose your groups
Try a fact you want to work on. Choose a number of groups and how many are in each group, then reveal one possible method.
Ways to work out the tables, using groups of eight
Fact
One method
1 × 8
One group: 8
2 × 8
8 + 8 = 16
3 × 8
16 + 8 = 24
4 × 8
16 + 16 = 32
5 × 8
Half of 80 is 40
6 × 8
40 + 8 = 48
7 × 8
40 + 16 = 56
8 × 8
32 + 32 = 64
9 × 8
80 − 8 = 72
10 × 8
Ten groups: 80
11 × 8
80 + 8 = 88
12 × 8
80 + 16 = 96
6 · TRY WITHOUT THE MODEL
Use your method on new facts
Work out an answer before opening its explanation. Say how you worked it out; another correct method is welcome.
See the answer and explanation
42. Add one more group of seven: 35 + 7 = 42.
See the answer and explanation
54. Remove one group of six: 60 − 6 = 54.
See the answer and explanation
48. Ten groups make 40 and two groups make 8. Add them: 40 + 8 = 48.
See the answer and explanation
7. There are seven groups of eight in 56.
See the answer and explanation
42 pencils. Five trays hold 30 and two trays hold 12: 30 + 12 = 42. Other correct methods can work too.
After finding the total, explain how you could use division to check the number of trays.
See a division check
Seven groups of six make 42, so 42 ÷ 6 = 7. Dividing the total number of pencils by the number on each tray gives the number of trays.
A few answers cannot show that you can recall every table. Choose a fact to practise again later, or return to a model if the method is still unclear.
Curriculum note for adults: this supports England’s Year 4 multiplication and division learning, including facts up to 12 × 12. Read the DfE mathematics programme of study.
Practise multiplication facts from 2 to 12 in an untimed mode, a 60-second sprint or an MTC-style independent practice mode. Saving is off unless you choose it.
