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The 9 times table

Worksheet + game · PDF · free

The 9s have two strong classroom strategies. Finger trick: for 7 × 9, hold both hands up, fold down the seventh finger from the left; six fingers stand on the left, three on the right — 63. Digit pattern: the tens digit is one less than the other factor, and the two digits sum to 9 (18 → 1 and 8). Also teach 10 × n minus n: 7 × 9 is 70 − 7. Connect to the 3s because 9 is triple 3. Use one strategy consistently at first so children are not overwhelmed by choices.

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Worked example

For 7 × 9, fold the seventh finger: six fingers left, three right, so 7 × 9 = 63. Check with 10 × 7 = 70, minus 7 = 63.

Watch for this

Adding 9 each time but losing count — landing on 63 for 6 × 9 instead of 7 × 9 — happens when children rely only on repeated addition. The finger trick or 'ten minus one group' gives a fixed check.

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