Stage 13 of 20
Times Tables Shortcuts (×2, ×5, ×10)
Anchor the easiest families first. Doubles, nickels (×5), and tens give you leverage for harder facts later.
Anchor facts first
×10 appends a zero to whole numbers. ×5 is half of ×10. ×2 is doubling. When you know these cold, many larger products become one or two moves.
Why this mental math skill matters
Anchoring ×2, ×5, and ×10 gives learners leverage for almost every later strategy. These are the highest-value families to automate.
Worked examples
Study each example slowly. Say the steps aloud — verbal rehearsal strengthens mental arithmetic memory.
7 × 10
- Append a zero to 7.
- 70.
Answer: 70
7 × 5
- 7 × 10 = 70.
- Half of 70 is 35.
Answer: 35
9 × 2
- Double 9.
- 18.
Answer: 18
Tips for success
- ×10 shifts place value for whole numbers.
- ×5 is half of ×10.
- ×2 is doubling — reuse Stage 7 strength.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping anchors and jumping straight to mixed hard facts.
- Confusing ×5 patterns with ×10 patterns under time pressure.
How to practice this stage
Run mixed ×2/×5/×10 drills daily for a week. Then deliberately derive a harder fact from an anchor (like 7 × 6 from 7 × 5).
Interactive practice
Stage 13 Drill
Use ×2, ×5, or ×10 shortcuts.
Solve
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FAQ: Times Tables Shortcuts (×2, ×5, ×10)
What are the best times tables to learn first?
Most programs prioritize 2s, 5s, and 10s because they unlock other facts through relationships.
How do I find 7 × 5 quickly?
Compute 7 × 10 = 70, then take half: 35.