Multiplication Tables and Multiplicative Thinking · Multiplication Tables to 10
The 2 times table
Recall the 2 times table (2×1 to 2×10) quickly, using doubling.
≈ 4 min · Difficulty 1/5
Real-life hook
A bicycle has 2 wheels. How many wheels on 6 bicycles? Counting 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 works — but knowing 2 × 6 = 12 is faster.
The idea
Multiplying by 2 is the same as doubling — adding a number to itself. 2 × 6 is just 6 + 6. Every answer in the 2 times table is an even number.
Worked examples
2 × 6 = 12
- Double 6.
- 6 + 6 = 12.
2 × 9 = 18
- Double 9.
- 9 + 9 = 18.
Common mistake
Watch out: Mixing up 2 × 7 and 2 + 7. Multiplying is not the same as adding the two numbers.
Better: Read 2 × 7 as 'two sevens': 7 + 7 = 14, not 9.
Use it in real life
Buying pairs: if socks come in 2s and you grab 4 packs, that's 2 × 4 = 8 socks.
Try it yourself
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Where you'll use this
- Counting pairs — shoes, socks, gloves
- Doubling a recipe
- Two of everything: wheels on bikes, eyes on faces
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2 times table?
It is the set of facts from 2 × 1 = 2 up to 2 × 10 = 20. Each one is a number doubled.
What is the easiest way to learn the 2 times table?
Think of it as doubling. To find 2 × 8, add 8 + 8. The answers are always even: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and so on.
Is 2 × 7 the same as 7 × 2?
Yes. Multiplication can be done in either order, so 2 × 7 and 7 × 2 both equal 14.