The 38 core multiplication facts

When people first hear about the 38 Core Multiplication Facts (CMFs), they’re often surprised.

“Aren’t there 144 facts to learn?”

After all, there are 12 × 12 multiplication combinations.

It’s a great question — and the answer is wonderfully reassuring.

There is less memory work to do than you think!

If you write out every multiplication fact from 0 × 0 to 12 × 12, you do indeed have 144 facts to memorise. But many of those are repeats or can be understood through patterns and number relationships. They don’t all need to be memorised!

FunKey Maths identifies the core multiplication facts that need explicitly memorising because they are not easily recalled by other means. That number is just 38.

What’s not included in the 38 CMFs — and why?

Some multiplication facts can be learnt conceptually or by spotting visual patterns. These are not included in the CMFs.

1. Commutative Facts

If you know:

6 × 7 = 42

You automatically know:

7 × 6 = 42

This is the commutative property of multiplication. So we only need to learn one of each pair — not both.

2. The 0× and 1× Tables

These don’t need memorising — they need understanding.

• Any number × 0 = 0

• Any number × 1 = the number itself

Once children understand what multiplication means, these facts make perfect sense.

3. The 2× Table

The 2× table is simply doubling.

If a child can double numbers up to 12, they already know their 2× facts.

In most countries, doubling is taught long before children learn times tables facts. It is a core skill in developing number sense. Teaching children to spot x 2 or 2 x as a double rather than a times table is more helpful to them than turning doubling into a times table memorisation exercise.

4. The 10× Table

Multiplying by 10 is a place value shift.

Children can see that:

6 × 10 = 60

Understanding place value removes the need for rote memorisation.

5. The 11× Table (Up to 99)

Up to 9 × 11, there is a clear visual pattern:

3 × 11 = 33
7 × 11 = 77

The repeated-digit pattern makes these facts easy to recall without formal memorisation.

So what are the 38 Core Multiplication Facts?

The Core Multiplication Facts are the remaining facts from the 3x to 12x tables (after removing repeats and pattern-based facts). They cannot be derived easily from conceptual understanding or digit patterns.

These are the facts children need to explicitly rehearse to ensure they lodge in long term memory. The FunKey Five Steps programme offers a structured approach to this task.

By narrowing the focus to 38 core facts, children:

• Feel less overwhelmed

• Build confidence faster

• Develop deeper number understanding

• Achieve stronger long-term retention

It’s not about learning less — it’s about learning smarter!

The FunKey Maths approach doesn’t reduce expectations; it reduces unnecessary and dull rote memorisation.

When children notice patterns, and understand structure and number relationships, they realise multiplication is logical — not endless chanting of meaningless facts. This results in times table recall becoming achievable for all, not just those lucky enough to have great auditory memories.