9 Times Table Practice: The Pattern That Adds Up

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The 9 times table has the neatest pattern of all

Many people find the 9s tricky at first, and then discover this table is full of patterns that help you check your own answers.

Patterns in the 9 times table

9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90

• The digits of every answer add up to 9. 5 + 4 = 9, 6 + 3 = 9, 7 + 2 = 9. If the digits of your answer do not add up to 9, something is off.
• The tens digit goes up by one and the ones digit goes down by one: 0 and 9, 1 and 8, 2 and 7, and so on until 9 and 0.
• The tens digit is one less than the number you multiply by. For 9 × 6, the tens digit is 5, and the ones digit that makes the digits add up to 9 is 4, so the answer is 54.

Times 10, minus one group

Here is a way in when you are not sure. Multiply by 10, then take away one group of 9. For 9 × 6, think 10 × 6 = 60, and 60 − 6 = 54. It always works, and the 10s are easy.

The finger trick

Hold up both hands with all ten fingers out and fold down the finger that matches the number. To multiply 9 × 6, fold your sixth finger. You have 5 fingers on the left and 4 on the right, so the answer is 54. It is the same pattern in your hands.

Test yourself

After the video, check what stuck. Math Engine gives you ten questions on the 9 times table, a hint after each answer, and a review round for the ones you missed. It is free and needs no sign-up.

Practice the 9 times table

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