The hardest times tables: tricks for the 6s, 7s and 8s

Short answer: the facts people miss most are 6×7, 6×8, 7×7, 7×8 and 8×8. There are only about ten of them. Learn each with a hook, practice just the 6, 7 and 8 tables mixed together for a few days, and they stop being hard.

1. Why these are hard

They have no obvious pattern like the 2s, 5s or 9s, the answers are close together (42, 48, 49, 54, 56) and they show up late when you learn tables in order, so they get the least practice.

2. Hooks that work

7×8 = 56: 5, 6, 7, 8 in a row.
6×8 = 48: double 6×4 (24).
8×8 = 64: a chessboard has 64 squares.
6×7 = 42: one more 6 than 6×6 (36).
The 8s: double, double, double (8×7 → 14, 28, 56).

3. Practice only those tables

Pick the 6, 7 and 8 tables together and answer mixed questions, including division (56 ÷ 7). Division uses the same fact from the other side, which makes it stick.

Doing it with Timesy

In Timesy select the 6, 7 and 8 tables, choose multiply, divide or mixed, and start a round. The table view highlights your most-missed rows and the mastery grid darkens as each table improves. Cover & guess mode lets you hide the table, say the answer and tap the row to check.

FAQ

Which times table fact is missed most?

Learners of all ages most often name 6×8, 7×8, 6×7 and 8×7 among the slowest and most-missed facts.

Is there a trick for 7×8?

Count 5, 6, 7, 8: 56 = 7×8. The digits 5 and 6 come right before 7 and 8.

Should I practice the 7s on their own?

Yes, at first. Then mix the 6s, 7s and 8s together so you can't rely on order.

Get Timesy, times tables practice that starts with your weak tables (Google Play)

← See Timesy's mastery grid, retry-missed, 1–20 tables and widget