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When do students learn the 11 times table?
The 11 times table forms part of the Year 4 national curriculum in the UK (approx 8 years old).
By the end of Year 4, all students should know all their times tables 1-12 and in June 2021 students are due to be tested nationally for the first time with something called the “Multiplication Tables Check” (here’s a link to a lot of information on the MTC).
In Years 5 and 6, students will use this knowledge to approach problems in geometry, fractions,.., and of course in more difficult multiplication problems.
What do students need to know before learning the 11 times table?
Before learning their 11 times table, students should know:
- how to add 11 to any number (year 1)
- the concept of multiplication (i.e. 3 groups of 9 objects)
- the 10 times tables
- how to use manipulatives to workout a particular times table.
How are times tables taught in schools now?
Learning times tables is one of the few things that most people remember from their schooling and those that possess a good knowledge will always proudly demonstrate it.
20 years ago, and still in a number of Asian countries, times tables are memorised by chanting and repeated testing.
Nowadays, teachers spend a lot of time making times tables fun to learn using games such as Times Tables with Emile, using songs and dance or involving other subjects (cross-curricular learning).
They still use worksheets, songs and dances, but the emphasis is on understanding.
11 Times Table Videos for Classrooms
The 11 Times Table Trick No 1
This trick is based on the fact that 10 + 1 = 11
So 11 x a number = (10 + 1) x the number
Or 11 x a number = 10 x the number + 1 x the number
More formally:
For all x, iff 11=10+1 => 11x = (10+1)x = 10x + 1x
What all of this means is that to find out what 11 times a number is:
- first times by ten
- then add the number on.
So to find out 12 x 11 = ?
- Times 12 by 10 = 120
- add 12 to this number
- So 120 + 12 = 132
Similarly to find out 1,234 x 11 = ?
- Times 1,234 by 10 = 12,340
- add 1,234 to this number
- So 12,340 + 1,234 = 13,574
The 11 Times Table Trick No 2
We’re not a massive fan of this trick but some find it useful for the larger numbers.
When you times a number by 11, write the number down but leave a gap between the first and second digits. Then add the two digits together and put this number in the gap.
So for 11 times 12:
• Write down 12 but leave a gap 1 2
• Add the two digits so 1 + 2 = 3
• Put that number in the gap: 1 3 2
• So 11 x 12 = 132
Why is the 11 times table so difficult to learn?
Times Table Facts
Always remember that there are only 12 x 12 (144) maths facts to learn for the national curriculum.
Once you remove the 1 and 10 times tables that leaves 102 maths facts.
Know your 2, 3 and 5 times tables and then there’s 60 maths facts left – fewer than half the 144.
Regular practice with Times Tables with Emile will lead to all your students wanting to practice them and knowing all their times tables in no time at all.
11 Times Table Games & Activities
Get them to Work it Out
Give students manipulatives such as buttons, pasta or dried beans.
As they will eventually need 132 manipulatives, it may mean working in groups and being prepared for a bit of a sweep up.
Get them in their groups to write down the 11 times table up to 12 x 11. Then check with adjacent groups.
Hopefully this exploration of the 11 times table will help embed their understanding of what the 11 times table is.
(To reduce mess, and the number of manipulatives required, you may want to explore up to 5 x 11 instead.)
View and Read Aloud
Work through their results as a class. Ask if anyone can see any patterns.
11 Times Table Grid
Ask students to complete an empty multiplication grid. It’s quite a useful exercise in itself to see where some students are struggling.
The grid could be selectively empty in the 11 row or column.
It can also be useful to remind children that they can reverse the order of a multiplication to make it an easier calculation.
An editable multiplication grid is here.
11 Times Table Worksheets
Use the free worksheet that can be found here to check on understanding and comprehension by leaving the multiplication grid with the students.
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