Which times tables do Year 2 children learn?

The 2, 5 and 10 times tables, and the matching division facts.

An array is objects arranged in equal rows and columns, used to show multiplication.

Is 3 x 5 the same as 5 x 3?

Yes. Multiplication can be done in any order, so both are 15.

How do I learn the times tables fast?

Practise a little every day. Count in steps and look for patterns, like the 5s ending in 0 or 5.

Year 2 2 lesson to download as PDF

This Year 2 2 lesson is written for pupils aged 6-7 and follows the National Curriculum. In short, it shows you how to learn the 2, 5 and 10 times tables and the related division facts, and use arrays. Before you start, it helps to revise place value to 100 and addition and subtraction to 100, because this lesson builds on them.

Table of Contents

Year 2 2 lesson: what you will learn

Hello, I am Otto! Times tables are a super power. Once you know them, you can multiply and divide quickly without counting every single object. In Year 2 we learn the 2, 5 and 10 times tables, and the division facts that go with them.

Starter activity

Put 5 plates on a table. Put 2 biscuits on each plate. How many biscuits are there altogether? Count in twos as you point to each plate: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. Now try 5 plates with 5 grapes on each plate. Count in fives: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25. You have just done two multiplications!

Multiplication means equal groups

Definition: multiplication

Multiplication is a quick way to add the same number again and again. 3 groups of 5 is 5 + 5 + 5 = 15. We write 3 × 5 = 15. The sign × is read as "times" or "multiplied by". The answer is called the product.

Three groups with five dots in each group: 3 × 5 = 15.

Rule: multiplying in any order

You can multiply in any order. 3 × 5 = 15 and 5 × 3 = 15. So if you know 5 × 3, you also know 3 × 5. This halves the number of facts you must learn!

Worked example 1

Write 4 groups of 2 as an addition and a multiplication.

Addition: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8. Multiplication: 4 × 2 = 8.

The 2 times table

Key fact: the 2 times table

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24.

These are all even numbers. They end in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8. Multiplying by 2 is the same as doubling.

Worked example 2

A spider has 8 legs. A pair of socks has 2 socks. How many socks are in 7 pairs?

7 pairs of 2 socks: 7 × 2. Count in twos seven times: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14. So 7 × 2 = 14 socks.

The 5 times table

Key fact: the 5 times table

5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60.

Every answer ends in 0 or 5. A hand has 5 fingers, so 4 hands have 4 × 5 = 20 fingers. Look at the clock: each number is 5 minutes more than the one before.

Worked example 3

There are 6 bags with 5 apples in each bag. How many apples are there?

6 × 5 = 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5. Count in fives six times: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. There are 30 apples.

The 10 times table

Key fact: the 10 times table

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120.

Every answer ends in 0. To multiply by 10, move each digit one place to the left and put a 0 in the ones place. So 7 × 10 = 70.

Worked example 4

A pack holds 10 pencils. How many pencils are in 9 packs?

9 × 10 = 90 pencils. The answer is 9 tens, which is 90.

Arrays

Definition: array

An array is a picture of objects in neat rows and columns. Each row has the same number of objects.

This array has 3 rows and 5 columns. It shows 3 × 5 = 15 and also 5 × 3 = 15.

Method: writing facts from an array

Count the rows and the columns.
Write the multiplication: rows × columns.
Turn the array on its side to write the other multiplication.

Division facts

Definition: division

Division means sharing into equal groups or finding how many groups. We use the sign ÷, read as "divided by". 10 ÷ 2 = 5 means that 10 shared into 2 equal groups gives 5 in each group.

Key fact: multiplication and division are inverses

Division undoes multiplication. If 4 × 5 = 20 then 20 ÷ 5 = 4 and 20 ÷ 4 = 5. Every multiplication fact gives two division facts.

Worked example 5

Work out 35 ÷ 5.

Ask: what number times 5 makes 35? 7 × 5 = 35, so 35 ÷ 5 = 7.

Worked example 6

24 children get into pairs for a game. How many pairs are there?

Each pair has 2 children. 24 ÷ 2 = 12, because 12 × 2 = 24. There are 12 pairs.

Watch out

Do not mix up the tables! 5 × 4 = 20, but 5 + 4 = 9. Remember that multiplying means equal groups, while adding just joins two numbers. Also, a number in the 5 times table always ends in 0 or 5, so 32 can never be a 5 times table answer.

Did you know?

Long ago, shepherds counted sheep in fives by making a mark for each group. Our tally marks work the same way: four lines and one across make a group of five. That is why the 5 times table is so easy to spot on a tally chart.

Otto’s tip

Use the 10 times table to find the 5 times table. 5 × 8 is half of 10 × 8. Half of 80 is 40, so 5 × 8 = 40. Check your answer with the number pattern: it should end in 0 or 5.

How to use this Year 2 2 lesson

First, read the key points so that you know where the Year 2 2 lesson is going. Then work through each definition and worked example, and cover the solution before you read it. After that, practise with the 2, 5 and 10 times tables worksheet and check every question with the worksheet answers. When you feel ready, test yourself with the multiple choice questions or the quick quiz. Finally, sit the 2, 5 and 10 times tables test and mark it with the test answers.

Also, the starters are a good warm-up, so you can keep the key facts fresh. Moreover, all the pages of this chapter work together, so you can move between them at any time. For example, many pupils read the lesson on Monday, practise on Wednesday and test themselves on Friday. In short, this Year 2 2 lesson gives you everything you need for the chapter.