The traditional method of learning the times table starts with the "basics." Remember that multiplication can be broken down to repeated addition. Take, for example, the problem 3 times 5. Adding 3 together 5 times gives you 15 as the answer. This method takes a bit of time at first, but is a simple way to convey the basics of mathematics. Once a child can do repeated addition mentally instead of writing it out on paper, the process should take less time.
Separate the times table into sections or "chunks," using the letters A, B, C and D to label them. Start with the first chunk, A, in which you learn the 5 times table up to 5 times 5. Section B begins at 5 times 6 and ends with 5 times 9. Section C is identical to B, only the order of the problems are reversed so that 5 times 6 becomes 6 times 5 and so on until you reach 9 times 5. The final section, D, is where you tackle 6 times 6, 7 times 7 and so on up through 9 times 9.
The basic principle of multiplying a number by itself is known as the "square" of a number. The product results from repeated addition of the number an equal amount of times as its value. Take, for example, the fact that 3 times 3 equals 9 is the same as saying 3 plus 3 plus 3 equals 9. Learning the square of a number will enable you to easily identify your position in the times table as you tackle larger multiplication sums.
This method helps to expand your times table skills to numbers that are two digits apart, such as 1 and 3. The "less than squares" rule explains that the product of any multiplication sum with numbers that are two digits apart will be one digit less than the square of the number between them. For example, 1 times 3 equals 3, while 2 times 2 equals 4. Notice that the number 2 separates 1 and 3. It helps to memorize the squares of numbers 1 through 12 before taking on this method.