Multiplying by 9 Trick
Fast & Easy Method
Most kids freeze on the 9 times table. This trick means they never have to again. Works for any number — because 9 is just 1 less than 10.
The Rule:
Multiply by 10, then subtract the number once
"9 is 1 less than 10" — so we take one group away.
The Trick — Step by Step
Let's use 9 × 4 as our example
We need to find 9 × 4. Instead of memorizing, we use the trick.
Multiplying by 10 is easy — just add a zero. So 10 × 4 = 40.
Now subtract the number you multiplied by. 40 − 4 = 36.
That is why we multiply by 10 and subtract one group of the number.
Works every time — for any number.
Why This Works
9 is exactly 1 less than 10. So when you multiply any number by 9, you're multiplying it by 10 and then taking away one group of that number.
Visual reminder: 9 groups of 4 = 10 groups of 4 minus 1 group of 4.
Try These Examples
Same two steps every time — multiply by 10, subtract the number
Once the trick makes sense, practice with our multiplication practice worksheets to build full fluency.
Multiplication & Division Foundations
GRADES 3–5
Multiplication is where math confidence gets made or broken for a lot of kids — and the biggest mistake is rushing to memorization before the concept is understood. This course builds multiplication and division together from the ground up: equal groups, arrays, the relationship between the two operations, and then fact fluency built on understanding rather than rote drilling.
Get Multiplication & Division Foundations on Gumroad →More Math Tricks & Guides
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