Stuck for how to remember the 5x table?
Read on - we have collected ideas to help your 5x table stick.
It is a great times table for younger learners as (a) we have five fingers on each hand, which really helps with visualising what is going on and (b) 5 is half of ten. So if you multiply a number by 10, you can halve your answer to find that number multiplied by 5.
1 x 5 = 5
Speak this to yourself and read the "x" sign as " lot of".
One lot of 5 is 5.
A most useful feature of the 5x table is that multiples of 5 can easily be dealt with by being grouped in pairs to make groups of 10
2x5 = 10
Two lots of five
Use your fingers.
3x5 = 15
Three lots of five
4x5 = 20
Think fingers and toes to make up your four lots of 5.
Group 5 and 5 to make 10
Two lots of 10 make 20
5x5 = 25
Try a rhyme using this image from Kippson.
The shape of the number 5 looks like the letter "S" so instead of 5 x 5 we get SS (Sally Skydiver).
"Sally Skydiver's 25. She is glad to be alive"
6x5 = 30
There are five minutes between each of the numbers marked on a clock face.
6 lots of 5 occurs at the bottom of the clock face when it is 30 minutes past the hour
7x5 = 35
7 lots of 5 can sound daunting
Try gathering the groups of 5 together to make groups of 10.
8x5 = 40
Gather pairs, as above (you will get 4 groups of 10)
Alternatively, as with any even number group of 5, firstly multiply by 10, then divide your answer in half
8 x 10 = 80
so 8 x 5 is half that number (80 divided by 2 is 40)
9x5 = 45
You may be more familiar with your 10x tables?
If so,
10 lots of 5 is 50
You can count backwards from here.
9 lots of five must be 5 less than 50
ie 50 - 5 = 45
If you are using Kippson's flash cards or stickers, a little rhyme can help
"9 x 5 is eagle-eyed"
To add to the imagery, the "4" is like the sharp beak of the bird, and the 5 could be a wiggly worm
10x5 = 50
The digits of any number multiplied by 10 will all move one column to the left
5 becomes 50
11x5 = 55
Think of 11 lots of 5 as being 10 lots of 5 plus another 5
10 x 5 = 50, so 11 lots of 5 is 50 +5
12x5 = 60
There are five minutes between each of the numbers marked on a clock face.
12 lots of 5 occurs at the top of the clock face when it is 60 minutes past the hour
For more multiplication learning ideas, worksheets and reference sheets see Kippson's free resources page