Multiplication Table Lesson: Definition, Examples, & More

Lesson Overview

• What Is a Multiplication Table?
• Multiplication as Repeated Addition
• Solving Multiplication Facts
• Using Multiplication to Complete Equations
• Matching Products to Multiplication Sentences
• Understanding Multiples
• Understanding Equal Equations
• Multiplying by 1 and 0
• Identifying Numbers Not in a Table

Multiplication is one of the most important math skills you will use throughout your life. It helps you count faster, solve problems quicker, and understand how numbers grow. Learning the multiplication table-also called times tables-is a big step in building strong math skills.

This lesson will help you understand how multiplication works, how to use it to solve equations, how to find missing numbers, and how to check if your answers are correct. You'll also learn how to use multiplication facts to find patterns and solve problems faster.

What Is a Multiplication Table?

A multiplication table is a chart or list that shows the products of multiplying pairs of numbers. It helps organize multiplication facts in a way that is easy to read and use. Each row and column in the table represents a number, and where they meet, you'll find the result of multiplying those two numbers together.

For example, to find the product of 4 and 6, locate 4 on one side of the table and 6 on the other. The point where the row and column intersect gives the product: 24.

Multiplication tables are useful for:

• Learning and memorizing multiplication facts
  
• Solving multiplication problems quickly
  
• Recognizing number patterns and relationships
  

They are often used to build a strong foundation in multiplication and are an essential tool for developing math fluency.

Multiplication as Repeated Addition

Multiplication is repeated addition. This means you're adding the same number over and over.

Example:

• 3 × 4 means you are adding 3 four times:
  3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12
  

Or, it could also mean adding 4 three times:

• 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
  

This shows that multiplication is commutative, which means:

• 3 × 4 = 4 × 3
  

The order doesn't change the answer.

Take This Quiz:

Multiplication Table: Math Quiz!

Solving Multiplication Facts

Let's look at how to solve basic multiplication facts.

Example 1:

6 × 4
Think of it as: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24
Answer: 24

Example 2:

9 × 5
You can count by 5s:
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45
Answer: 45

Practice helps you memorize these facts so you can solve them instantly.

Using Multiplication to Complete Equations

Sometimes, you'll be given part of a multiplication sentence and have to find the missing number.

Example:

7 × ___ = 63
To find the missing number, divide:
63 ÷ 7 = 9

So the missing number is 9.

This is using the inverse operation-division-to solve a multiplication problem. Division helps you find missing factors.

Matching Products to Multiplication Sentences

Sometimes you'll be asked to find which multiplication sentences equal the same number.

Example:

• 4 × 6 = 24
  
• 3 × 8 = 24
  
• 6 × 4 = 24
  

All of these are correct because they all equal 24.
This shows that different multiplication facts can have the same product.

Learning related facts helps you become faster at solving problems and checking your answers.

Understanding Multiples

A multiple is the result of multiplying a number by whole numbers.

For example:

• Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ...
  
• Multiples of 10: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ...
  

If a number is in both the 5 and 10 tables (like 20), it is a common multiple.

To find out if a number belongs to a multiplication table, try dividing.

Example:

Is 40 in the table of 10?
40 ÷ 10 = 4 → Yes, because it divides evenly.

Is 35 in the table of 4?
35 ÷ 4 = 8.75 → No, not evenly divisible → Not in the table of 4.

Understanding Equal Equations

Sometimes multiplication problems compare two different equations.

Example:

4 × 6 = 3 × 8
Let's check:
4 × 6 = 24
3 × 8 = 24
So: They are equal

If both sides of the equation have the same product, the equation is true.

This is called a balanced equation.

Take This Quiz:

Times Table 1-12 Multiplication Quiz!

Multiplying by 1 and 0

Rule 1: Any number multiplied by 1 stays the same.

Example: 9 × 1 = 9

Rule 2: Any number multiplied by 0 equals zero.

Example: 7 × 0 = 0

These rules are helpful in solving and checking multiplication problems.

Identifying Numbers Not in a Table

Sometimes you're given a list and asked which number does not belong.

Example:

Which number does not come in the table of 4?
Options: 8, 12, 16, 35
Check each one:

• 8 ÷ 4 = 2 → Yes
  
• 12 ÷ 4 = 3 → Yes
  
• 16 ÷ 4 = 4 → Yes
  
• 35 ÷ 4 = 8.75 → No
  Answer: 35 does not belong
  

You can use division or skip counting to test if a number is in a multiplication table.

Take This Quiz:

Advanced Times Table! Multiplication Trivia Test! Quiz