Year 2 children learn the 2, 5 and 10 times tables, understand that multiplication means equal groups, and discover that 3 × 5 gives the same answer as 5 × 3.
What your child will learn
- Recall multiplication facts for the 2, 5 and 10 times tables
- Write multiplication number sentences using × and =
- Know that multiplication can be done in any order
- Solve equal-group stories
Patterns in the tables
The 2 times table gives even numbers, the 5 times table always ends in 5 or 0, and the 10 times table always ends in 0. Pointing out these patterns helps children check their answers.
Multiplication in any order
4 × 5 = 20 and 5 × 4 = 20. Arrays — objects in rows and columns — show this beautifully: turn the array on its side and the total stays the same.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. What is 6 × 10?
- 60
- 50
- 16
- 70
Show answer
Answer: 60. Count in 10s: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. So 6 × 10 = 60.
2. What is 10 × 3?
- 30
- 20
- 13
- 40
Show answer
Answer: 30. Count in 10s: 10, 20, 30. So 10 × 3 = 30.
3. What is 1 × 10?
- 0
- 10
- 11
- 20
Show answer
Answer: 10. Count in 10s: 10. So 1 × 10 = 10.
Tips for grown-ups
- Count in 5s using the minutes on a clock face.
- Count coins in 2s and 10s.
- Practise little and often — five minutes a day beats an hour once a week.