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The 7 and 12 Times Tables: Split and Add

Level 2 Times tables · Reviewed by The NumThink editorial team · Last reviewed

Short version: Split the awkward number: ×7 = ×5 + ×2 (8 × 7 = 40 + 16 = 56), and ×12 = ×10 + ×2 (7 × 12 = 70 + 14 = 84).

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.

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Why it works

7 = 5 + 2 and 12 = 10 + 2. Multiplying by each part and adding the results gives the same answer: 8 × 7 = 8 × 5 + 8 × 2 = 40 + 16 = 56.

You only ever use the easy tables — ×2, ×5 and ×10 — so there is nothing new to memorize. And by now most 7s are known from other tables (7 × 8 = 8 × 7 from doubling): the ones left to drill are 7 × 7 = 49 and 7 × 12 = 84.

The steps

  1. Split the table number. 7 = 5 + 2, and 12 = 10 + 2.
  2. Multiply by each part. 6 × 7: 6 × 5 = 30 and 6 × 2 = 12.
  3. Add the two results. 30 + 12 = 42, so 6 × 7 = 42.

Worked examples

Easy 3 × 7

Show the thinking

3 × 5 = 15

3 × 2 = 6

15 + 6 = 21

So 3 × 7 = 21.

Answer: 21

Medium 9 × 7

Show the thinking

9 × 5 = 45

9 × 2 = 18

45 + 18 = 63

So 9 × 7 = 63.

Answer: 63

Hard 12 × 12

Show the thinking

12 × 10 = 120

12 × 2 = 24

120 + 24 = 144

So 12 × 12 = 144.

Answer: 144

When to use it

  • Any ×7 or ×12 fact that is not automatic yet.
  • Past the table: 14 × 7 = 70 + 28 = 98, and 15 × 12 = 150 + 30 = 180.

When NOT to use it

  • 7 × 9 and 7 × 8 have quicker routes: 70 − 7 = 63, and doubling 7 → 14 → 28 → 56.
  • Facts you already recall instantly — splitting is for the ones that still hesitate.

Common mistakes

Adding the split number instead of its product. Working out 8 × 7 as 8 × 5 + 2 = 42. Fix: Multiply BOTH parts by 8: 8 × 5 = 40 and 8 × 2 = 16, so 56.
Mixing up 7 × 7 and 7 × 8. Saying 7 × 8 = 49, or 7 × 7 = 56. Fix: Anchor on the square 7 × 7 = 49; then 7 × 8 is one more 7: 49 + 7 = 56.
Check yourself: Check ×12 as ×3 then ×4: 7 × 12 = 21 × 4 = 84 ✓.