Multiplication & division
The 2, 5 and 10 Times Tables
Year 1 · Year 2
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to count in multiples of 2, 5 and 10.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to recall multiplication facts for the 2, 5 and 10 times tables.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to understand that multiplication is repeated addition.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to solve simple multiplication problems using the 2, 5 and 10 times tables.
Key concepts
When we count in multiples, we are adding the same number over and over again. For example, counting in 2s means adding 2 each time: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. Counting in 5s means adding 5 each time: 5, 10, 15, 20. Counting in 10s means adding 10 each time: 10, 20, 30, 40.
The 2 times table is about 'groups of 2' or 'doubling'. It helps us find out how many there are when we have lots of pairs. For example, 3 groups of 2 is 6 (2 + 2 + 2 = 6). We write this as 3 x 2 = 6.
The 5 times table is about 'groups of 5'. It's useful for counting things like fingers on a hand or coins. For example, 4 groups of 5 is 20 (5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20). We write this as 4 x 5 = 20.
The 10 times table is about 'groups of 10'. It's very helpful for counting in tens, like ten-pence coins. For example, 2 groups of 10 is 20 (10 + 10 = 20). We write this as 2 x 10 = 20.
Multiplication is a quicker way to do repeated addition. Instead of writing 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2, we can write 5 x 2. Both give us the answer 10. The 'x' symbol means 'groups of' or 'multiplied by'.
Key facts to remember
- 1Counting in 2s means adding 2 each time (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8...).
- 2Counting in 5s means adding 5 each time (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20...).
- 3Counting in 10s means adding 10 each time (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40...).
- 4The 2 times table is about doubling a number.
- 5Numbers in the 5 times table always end in 0 or 5.
- 6Numbers in the 10 times table always end in 0.
- 7Multiplication is a quick way to do repeated addition.
- 8The order of the numbers in multiplication does not change the answer (e.g., 2 x 5 is the same as 5 x 2).
Worked examples
Example 1
Count in 2s from 0 up to 12.
Answer
0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
This shows how counting in multiples is like repeated addition.
Example 2
There are 3 plates. Each plate has 5 biscuits. How many biscuits are there in total?
Answer
15 biscuits
Drawing the plates and biscuits can help you visualise the groups.
Example 3
A packet of pencils has 10 pencils. If you buy 4 packets, how many pencils do you have?
Answer
40 pencils
Remember that numbers in the 10 times table always end in a zero.
Common mistakes
- ✗Missing a number when counting in multiples (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 10 instead of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10).
- ✗Confusing the times tables (e.g., using a 5s fact for a 2s problem).
- ✗Not understanding that 'x' means 'groups of' or 'multiplied by'.
- ✗Starting counting from 1 instead of 0 or the first multiple when asked to count from 0.
Exam tips
- ★Practise counting forwards and backwards in 2s, 5s and 10s regularly.
- ★Use your fingers, draw pictures, or use objects to help you count groups when solving problems.
- ★Look for the patterns in the numbers for each times table (e.g., 5s end in 0 or 5, 10s end in 0).
- ★Say the times tables out loud to help you remember the facts quickly.
Ready to practise?
Try a problem on this topic
Snap a photo or type a question — get step-by-step working instantly.