Learning to count can be a fun adventure, and mastering multiplication facts is a real confidence booster! But memorizing times tables can sometimes feel like a chore. Don’t worry, there are clever tricks that make it much easier and even a little bit magical.
One of the coolest tricks is for the number 9! Knowing how to count by 9 can unlock quick calculations and impress your friends. Get ready to discover a simple, visual way to tackle the 9 times table. Let’s make learning fun and easy!
Unlocking the Secret
The finger trick is a fantastic way to visualize counting by 9. Hold both hands up, palms facing you. Each finger represents a number, from 1 to 10, going from left to right. To multiply 9 by any number from 1 to 10, simply bend down the finger corresponding to that number.
For example, if you want to calculate 9 x 3, bend down your third finger. Now, count the fingers to the left of the bent finger. In this case, there are two. Then, count the fingers to the right of the bent finger. There are seven. Combine these: 2 and 7 makes 27! So, 9 x 3 = 27.
Let’s try another one! What’s 9 x 7? Bend down your seventh finger. You have six fingers to the left and three to the right. That makes 63! Isn’t that neat? This visual method can make memorization much easier and more engaging. Practice a few times, and you’ll be a 9s multiplication master!
Another pattern to watch for when you how to count by 9 is that the digits of each multiple always add up to 9 (until you get to 9 x 11 or 9 x 12, which is also a useful memory trick). 9 x 1 = 9 (0 + 9 = 9), 9 x 2 = 18 (1 + 8 = 9), 9 x 3 = 27 (2 + 7 = 9), and so on. This helps confirm if you’re on the right track when calculating.
Yet another trick focuses on the tens digit. As you how to count by 9, notice that the tens digit increases by one with each multiple. At the same time, the ones digit decreases by one. 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, and so forth. Keeping an eye on this pattern is an effective way to check the accuracy of your calculation and to memorize the 9s multiplication table.
Now that youve learned these fun tricks, practice your nines! Use your fingers, the digit-sum trick, and the increasing/decreasing pattern to become a multiplication whiz. The more you practice, the quicker and more confident you’ll become. Have fun impressing everyone with your new math skills!