Multiplication Chart - Definition, Examples, Quiz, FAQ, Trivia
Master multiplication with visual charts, examples, and practice activities
What is a Multiplication Chart?
A multiplication chart (also called a times table) is a grid that shows you the products of multiplying numbers together. It's like a map for multiplication!
The numbers along the top row and first column are called factors. The numbers inside the grid are called products - they're the answers when you multiply the numbers from the top and side.
Multiplication charts help you see patterns in numbers and make learning multiplication facts much easier. Instead of memorizing each fact separately, you can see how they connect.The chart is given in the examples' section.
Key Concept
A multiplication chart shows the product (result) when you multiply numbers from the top row and left column.
How to Read a Multiplication Chart
Reading a multiplication chart is simple once you know how:
1. Find the first number in the top row
2. Find the second number in the first column
3. Follow the row and column until they meet
4. The number where they meet is your answer!
Let's try finding 6 × 7:
Find 6 on the top row and 7 on the left column. Follow the 6 column down and the 7 row across. Where they meet is 42, so 6 × 7 = 42.
Remember
It doesn't matter which number you pick from the top or side first - multiplication is commutative, so 4 × 5 gives the same answer as 5 × 4.
Patterns in Multiplication Charts
Multiplication charts are full of interesting patterns that can help you learn:
Diagonal Pattern
The numbers along the diagonal from top-left to bottom-right are perfect squares (1×1=1, 2×2=4, 3×3=9, etc.)
Commutative Property
The chart is symmetrical along the diagonal. This shows that 3×4 equals 4×3.
Multiples of 5
All products of 5 end with either 0 or 5. This pattern continues throughout the chart.
Even and Odd Patterns
Even × Even = Even, Even × Odd = Even, Odd × Odd = Odd. You can see this pattern throughout the chart.
Pattern Tip
Looking for patterns can help you remember multiplication facts more easily!
Examples Using Multiplication Charts
Let's practice using a multiplication chart with some examples:
Example 1: How many legs do 6 spiders have? (Spiders have 8 legs each)
Solution: Find where 6 and 8 meet on the chart → 6 × 8 = 48 legs
Example 2: If you have 5 bags with 7 apples in each, how many apples do you have?
Solution: Find where 5 and 7 meet on the chart → 5 × 7 = 35 apples
Example 3: A classroom has 8 rows with 9 desks in each row. How many desks total?
Solution: Find where 8 and 9 meet on the chart → 8 × 9 = 72 desks
Example 4: If you read for 4 hours each day for a week (7 days), how many hours did you read?
Solution: Find where 4 and 7 meet on the chart → 4 × 7 = 28 hours
12×12 Multiplication Chart
| × | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
| 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 30 | 33 | 36 |
| 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 |
| 5 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 60 |
| 6 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 42 | 48 | 54 | 60 | 66 | 72 |
| 7 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 | 42 | 49 | 56 | 63 | 70 | 77 | 84 |
| 8 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 72 | 80 | 88 | 96 |
| 9 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 | 54 | 63 | 72 | 81 | 90 | 99 | 108 |
| 10 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 |
| 11 | 11 | 22 | 33 | 44 | 55 | 66 | 77 | 88 | 99 | 110 | 121 | 132 |
| 12 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | 60 | 72 | 84 | 96 | 108 | 120 | 132 | 144 |
Practice Tip
Try covering parts of the multiplication chart with your hand and testing yourself on the missing facts!
Multiplication Practice Quiz
Test your multiplication knowledge with this 5-question quiz. Choose the correct answer for each question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about multiplication charts:
Math Trivia
Discover interesting facts about multiplication and numbers:
Ancient Multiplication
The oldest known multiplication tables were used by the Babylonians about 4000 years ago. They used a base-60 number system instead of our base-10 system!
Special Number
The number 142857 is called a cyclic number. When you multiply it by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, the result contains the same digits in the same cyclic order!
Multiplication Record
The world record for reciting the most multiplication facts in one minute is 140 facts, set by a student in China in 2017. That's more than 2 facts per second!
Perfect Squares
The numbers along the diagonal of a multiplication chart (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, etc.) are called perfect squares. They're called this because they can be arranged in perfect squares!
