Tricky Tables Strategy Worksheet
Math Secret Agents Multiplication Lab
The Tricky Tables Strategy Guide
Master your 7s, 8s, and 9s using mental shortcuts, pattern hacks, and memory tricks!
Name:
Date:
9
The Magic 9s: Two Mind-Blowing Hacks
Digits always sum to 9!
Trick 1: "Down 1, Up 1" Pattern
To find 9 × N, the tens digit is N − 1, and the ones digit makes the pair add up to 9!
Problem 9 × 4
→
Tens (4-1) 3
Ones (9-3) 6
=
36
Trick 2: The 10-Finger Calculator
Hold palms toward you (fingers 1 to 10 from left to right). Fold down finger N.
Fingers to LEFT = Tens Digit
Fingers to RIGHT = Ones Digit
Example: For 9 × 7, fold finger 7 → 6 on left, 3 on right = 63!
8
The Clever 8s: Break into 5s & 3s!
Core Rule: 8 = 5 + 3
The Break-Apart Strategy (5s + 3s)
Multiplying by 8 can be tough, but multiplying by 5 is friendly and multiplying by 3 is quick!
The Master Formula 8 × N = (5 × N) + (3 × N)
Step-by-Step in Action: 8 × 6
1. Multiply by 5: 5 × 6 = 30
2. Multiply by 3: 3 × 6 = 18
3. Add together: 30 + 18 = 48
7
The Clever 7s: Break into 5s & 2s!
Core Rule: 7 = 5 + 2
The Break-Apart Strategy (5s + 2s)
Don't guess! Split 7 into super-friendly 5s (count by 5) and 2s (just double the number).
The Master Formula 7 × N = (5 × N) + (2 × N)
Step-by-Step in Action: 7 × 8
1. Multiply by 5: 5 × 8 = 40
2. Multiply by 2: 2 × 8 = 16
3. Add together: 40 + 16 = 56
Warm-Up: Test Your Strategy Intuition
Fill in the missing values using the break-apart and 9s tricks above
9s: Down 1, Up 1
9 × 8: Tens is (8−1) =
Ones needs to sum to 9:
9 × 8 =
8s: Split into 5 + 3
8 × 7 = (5 × 7) + (3 × 7)
= 35 +
8 × 7 =
7s: Split into 5 + 2
7 × 4 = (5 × 4) + (2 × 4)
= 20 +
7 × 4 =
P2
Mastery Mission: 7s, 8s & 9s Practice Challenge
Apply your strategy superpowers to conquer all facts up to 10!
Accuracy Target: 100% Mastery
1 Strategy Workstation: Show Your Mental Steps
Use the finger trick & break-apart rules!
9s: 10-Finger Method
9 × 6: Fold 6 → L: 5, R:
Answer:
9 × 8: Fold 8 → L: , R:
Answer:
8s: Split (5 + 3)
8 × 4: (5×4) + (3×4) = 20 +
Answer:
8 × 7: (5×7) + (3×7) = 35 +
Answer:
7s: Split (5 + 2)
7 × 3: (5×3) + (2×3) = 15 +
Answer:
7 × 8: (5×8) + (2×8) = 40 +
Answer:
2 Speed Grid: Complete the Triple Tables (Up to × 10)
Write the product in each empty box
The 7s Table
7 × 1 =
7 × 2 =
7 × 3 =
7 × 4 =
7 × 5 =
7 × 6 =
7 × 7 =
7 × 8 =
7 × 9 =
7 × 10 =
The 8s Table
8 × 1 =
8 × 2 =
8 × 3 =
8 × 4 =
8 × 5 =
8 × 6 =
8 × 7 =
8 × 8 =
8 × 9 =
8 × 10 =
The 9s Table
9 × 1 =
9 × 2 =
9 × 3 =
9 × 4 =
9 × 5 =
9 × 6 =
9 × 7 =
9 × 8 =
9 × 9 =
9 × 10 =
3 Fact Detective: True or Imposter?
Circle True or False. If False, fix the product!
8 × 7 = 54
True False
Fix:
9 × 7 = 63
True False
Fix:
7 × 7 = 48
True False
Fix:
8 × 8 = 64
True False
Fix:
Brain Teaser Codebreaker
Solve each fact to spell the secret word!
Riddle: Why was the number 6 afraid of the number 7? "Because 7 ________ 9!"
8 × 6 = 48 48 = E
7 × 3 = 21 21 = I
8 × 8 = 64 64 = G
9 × 8 = 72 72 = H
7 × 9 = 63 63 = T
Answer: Because 7
48
21
64
72
63
9! (sounds like "ate"!)
