Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
May 2025
Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
May 2025
Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
May 2025
Key takeaways
Table of contents
The 12 times table is the final times table that year 4 students will learn in preparation for their multiplication tables check.
Knowing your 6 times table can come in handy when it comes to learning the 12 times table. That’s because the factors are linked as 6 is half of 12, so the products of the 6 times table are half of those of the 12 times table.
Traditional methods like counting on 12 each time do work, but can be quite time-consuming. Additionally, I’ve seen students lose track and make silly mistakes when counting on in 12s, as we’re short a few fingers to keep track properly!
Read on to discover our surprisingly simple strategies for learning the 12 times tables, and try out a few of our practice problems to put these strategies to the test!
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Of all the tables of multiplication 12 times table is often considered the trickiest. Thankfully, we’ve got a few top tips that’ll make learning this final times table a breeze!
By this stage, kiddos should all know that 6 doubled is 12. It’s worth pointing out to them that the products of the 12 times table are just double that of the 6 times table!
For example, if students are asked to work out 12 x 4, they can start with 6 x 4.
Then, all they need to do to get 12 x 4 is double their answer.
Using this method, it’s easy to work out that 12 x 4 = 48.
Learners can use their knowledge of other times tables that they’re comfortable with to break up the multiplication calculation into smaller chunks. My students always found this strategy super helpful and much less daunting!
Learners start by identifying numbers that add together to make 12. For example, 11+1 or 10+2.
They’ll then multiply the target number in two separate calculations by their preferred numbers and then add their answers together, like in the example below.
This is by far my favourite 12 times table strategy, and I’m sure my students would say the same. It’s so simple and quick that it does seem a bit like magic!
All your kiddos need to do is write the numbers 0 to 14 in a vertical line, missing out numbers 5 and 11. Then they’ll write the numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 repeatedly in a line next to their line of numbers 0 to 14.
The numbers created are the products of the 12 times table from 0 x 12 up to 12 x 12.
DoodleMaths is an award-winning app that’s filled with thousands of questions and games exploring multiplication, division and more! Plus, get free access to DoodleTables with any DoodleMaths subscription!
Designed by teachers, it creates each child a unique work programme tailored to their needs, doubling their progression with just 10 minutes of use a day. Try it for free!
Ready to give it a go?
Put your knowledge to the test with these no-risk practice problems to get you ready for the classroom!
Once your kiddos have got their 12 times tables strategies perfected, it’s time to get practising. It’s helpful for learners to practice the full 12 by 12 times table until they can recall each product correctly!
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