The 4 times table

Worksheet + game · PDF · free

The 4s are the 2s doubled again. If a child knows 6 × 2 = 12, they already have half of 6 × 4. Teach 'double, then double again' as the main strategy. Fours also appear as square numbers: 2 × 2, 3 × 3, 4 × 4. Connect to arrays on squared paper — four rows of something. Because 4 is even, every product is even. Pair this table with the 2s and 8s in practice sessions so children see the family link instead of treating each table as isolated.

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Worked example

For 6 × 4, use the 2s first: 6 × 2 = 12. Double 12 to get 24, so 6 × 4 = 24. That is faster than counting in fours from scratch.

Watch for this

Children who only know the 2s sometimes answer 6 × 4 with 12 — they stop after one double. Say explicitly: 'Double once for ×2, double twice for ×4.'

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