The Four Times tables

Three dimensional construction of the four times table.

The Five Times Table

Three dimensional construction of the five times table.


• Using the fingers on each hand offers a visual association with the rhythmic movements; clapping the hands together for each new tens value e.g two claps for the twenty and three when the tables meet thirty etc.
• Five pence coins are great for exploring the five times multiplications. The coins get stacked in pairs two indicate each group of ten. E.g the whole of the five times table can be built as shown in the example below:-

The Six times tables

Egg boxes and eggs (the author likes to use uncooked or blown brown and white chicken eggs) or balls (ping pong) can be used to represent a 3D presentation of the six times table. To indicate each completed group of ten a ribbon can be tied around the egg box at the correct place or a flag could be used to mark each completed ten.

Alternatively a lid off of a ten size egg box can be placed over each group of ten., e.g. shown below is 7 x 6 = 42 (Fortunately the number of half-dozen egg boxes can easily be seen beneath the added ten size lids

Using bricks the six times table is illustrated below up to 5 x 6 = 30
A 2dimentional presentation of each of the multiplication tables can be presented in colour on a 100 number square. This form of presentation offers a clear illustration of the number patterns presented within the multiplication tables and can inspire further interest and greater understanding of the relationship between addition and multiplication.