Many children already find it difficult enough to memorize the 6, 7, 8 and 9 multiplication tables. You can probably relate to how difficult it is for them to consistently remember the 13 times table. Especially when multiplied by the numbers four to thirteen.
There is, however, a quick and unique way to remember the 13 times table that works reliably and is significantly simpler than multiplying by 13.
A simple shortcut for the 13 Times Table
The technique, as a matter of fact, is so ridiculously simple that you can’t help but wonder why no one taught you this trick when you were a child. Then again, I’m speaking for myself here, because nobody actually taught me how to memorize the 13 times table this way, either.
The trick involves writing down the times table for the number 3 as follows:
| Multiplier | Result (3 times table) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 6 |
| 3 | 9 |
| 4 | 12 |
| 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 18 |
| 7 | 21 |
| 8 | 24 |
| 9 | 27 |
| 10 | 30 |
Are you with me so far? So what we have written down is basically
1 x 3 = 3
2 x 3 = 6
3 x 3 = 9
4 x 3 = 12
etc.
With that table done, you can easily derive the 13 times table. What you need to do is to combine both numbers you have written and you will get the 13 times table:
1 3 -> 13
2 6 -> 26
3 9 -> 39
So the multiplier becomes then tens and the 3 times table result becomes the unit.
For the next numbers, you simply need to add the 10s of the 3 times table result to the multiplier number:
So 4 12 becomes (4+1) 2 -> 5 2 -> 52. To check, 4 x 13 is indeed 52.
5 15 becomes (5+1) 5 -> 6 5 -> 65. And true enough, 5 x 13 is 65.
The 13 Times Table made easy
Here is the complete table, including the “trick” to help memorize your 13 times table – and yes, it works all the way up to 13 x 13 and beyond:
| Multiplier | Result (3 times table) | “Trick” | 13 Times Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 1 3 | 13 |
| 2 | 6 | 2 6 | 26 |
| 3 | 9 | 3 9 | 39 |
| 4 | 12 | 4+1 2 | 52 |
| 5 | 15 | 5+1 5 | 65 |
| 6 | 18 | 6+1 8 | 78 |
| 7 | 21 | 7+2 1 | 91 |
| 8 | 24 | 8+2 4 | 104 |
| 9 | 27 | 9+2 7 | 117 |
| 10 | 30 | 10+3 0 | 130 |
| 11 | 33 | 11+3 3 | 143 |
| 12 | 36 | 12+3 6 | 156 |
| 13 | 39 | 13+3 9 | 169 |
See how easy that is? This trick could have saved me a lot of time when I was at school, but that’s okay. At least I can now teach this to my kids and make their lives easier.
I think it makes a neat addition to all the other tips for memorizing times tables out there.
