The 3, 6 and 9 Times Tables
Level 1 Times tables · Reviewed by The NumThink editorial team · Last reviewed
This page is part of the NumThink Times tables course. Read why the method works, watch it run on worked examples, then drill it in the practice box below until it feels automatic.
Try it now
No signup · instant feedbackWhy it works
6 = 3 × 2, so every ×6 answer is double a ×3 answer: 7 × 3 = 21, so 7 × 6 = 42. And 6 = 5 + 1, so 7 × 6 = 35 + 7 = 42 as well — two routes to the same fact.
9 = 10 − 1, so a number times 9 is that number times 10, minus the number once. Up to 10 × 9 the answers also show a pattern: the tens digit is one less than the number, and the two digits add up to 9 (7 × 9 = 63: 6 is one less than 7, and 6 + 3 = 9).
The steps
- ×3: double, then add the number once more. 7 × 3 = 14 + 7 = 21.
- ×6: double the ×3 answer. 21 → 42, so 7 × 6 = 42.
- ×9: ×10, then subtract once. 7 × 9 = 70 − 7 = 63.
Worked examples
Easy 4 × 3
Show the thinking
Double 4 → 8
8 + 4 = 12
So 4 × 3 = 12.
Answer: 12
Medium 8 × 6
Show the thinking
8 × 3 = 24
Double 24 → 48
So 8 × 6 = 48.
Answer: 48
Hard 12 × 9
Show the thinking
12 × 10 = 120
120 − 12 = 108
So 12 × 9 = 108.
Answer: 108
When to use it
- Any fact in the 3, 6 or 9 tables, from 2 × 3 up to 12 × 9.
- Checking: every answer in these tables is a multiple of 3, so its digits add up to a multiple of 3.
When NOT to use it
- The 9s digit pattern stops at 10 × 9: for 11 × 9 and 12 × 9 use ×10 minus once (12 × 9 = 120 − 12 = 108).
- 6 × 6 = 36 is a square worth simply remembering — it anchors 6 × 7 = 42 (one more 6) as well.