3E · Develop strategies
Start from 10
Another powerful tool · 10 minus a little
Start with 10 groups
The ×10 idea works for 7s and 8s too. Start with 10 groups, then take away only the small extra part.
10 groups
− up to 3 groups
Calculate 9 × 8.
Rewrite 9 as 10 − 1:
9
=
10
−
1
Now multiply 8 by each part.
9
×
8
10
×
8
1
×
8
All that remains is to subtract the results.
80 − 8 = 72
Calculate 8 × 8.
Rewrite 8 as 10 − 2:
8
=
10
−
2
Now multiply 8 by each part.
8
×
8
10
×
8
2
×
8
All that remains is to subtract the results.
80 − 16 = 64
Calculate 7 × 8.
Rewrite 7 as 10 − 3:
7
=
10
−
3
Now multiply 8 by each part.
7
×
8
10
×
8
3
×
8
All that remains is to subtract the results.
80 − 24 = 56
7s, 8s and 9s can all be built down from 10.
Have a try
Practise 7s, 8s and 9s
8 × 7
This counts towards your Times Tables Recall progress.
📝 Learning stage: use paper, a whiteboard or a chalkboard if it helps. Work things out. This is practice for understanding — not a test of instant recall.
Use 10 − a little if you need it.
9 = 10 − 1 · 8 = 10 − 2 · 7 = 10 − 3
9 = 10 − 1 · 8 = 10 − 2 · 7 = 10 − 3
You can stop here.
Repeat this strategy as often as you need before moving on.
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