What is the 4 Times Table?

S0-SA1-0522

Grade Level:

Class 2

Maths

Definition

What is it?

The 4 Times Table is a list of numbers you get when you multiply 4 by other whole numbers (like 1, 2, 3, and so on). It helps us quickly find the answer when we need to count things in groups of four, like how many wheels are on multiple cars.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have 3 auto-rickshaws. Each auto-rickshaw has 3 wheels, but let's say you're counting the number of seats, and each auto has 4 seats. To find out the total number of seats, you would use the 4 times table: 3 (auto-rickshaws) x 4 (seats per auto) = 12 seats.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find out what 4 x 5 is using repeated addition.
1. We need to add the number 4, five times.
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2. Start with 4.
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3. Add 4 again: 4 + 4 = 8.
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4. Add 4 again: 8 + 4 = 12.
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5. Add 4 again: 12 + 4 = 16.
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6. Add 4 one last time: 16 + 4 = 20.
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So, 4 x 5 = 20.

Why It Matters

Mastering the 4 Times Table is a building block for all higher math. It's crucial for understanding multiplication, division, and fractions. Engineers use it to calculate materials, and even shopkeepers use it to quickly tally items.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Confusing 4 x 2 with 4 + 2, getting 6 instead of 8. | CORRECTION: Remember multiplication is repeated addition. 4 x 2 means 4 added 2 times (4+4), not 4 plus 2.

MISTAKE: Skipping numbers in the sequence, for example, saying 4, 8, 16, 20. | CORRECTION: Practice reciting the table in order (4, 8, 12, 16, 20...) to build memory and identify missing numbers.

MISTAKE: Thinking 4 x 0 is 4. | CORRECTION: Any number multiplied by zero is always zero. 4 x 0 means zero groups of 4, which is 0.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: What is 4 multiplied by 6? | ANSWER: 24

QUESTION: A small packet of biscuits costs Rs 4. If you buy 7 packets, how much will it cost? | ANSWER: Rs 28

QUESTION: If you have 9 groups of 4 mangoes each, and then 2 mangoes roll away, how many mangoes are left? | ANSWER: 34

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these is NOT a multiple of 4?

The Correct Answer Is:

Multiples of 4 are numbers you get when multiplying 4 by a whole number. 12 (4x3), 20 (4x5), and 32 (4x8) are all multiples of 4. 26 is not a multiple of 4 because 4 x 6 = 24 and 4 x 7 = 28.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you buy items in a supermarket, like 4 packets of Maggi noodles, and each packet has 4 servings, you can quickly use the 4 times table (4x4=16) to know you have 16 servings in total. Similarly, if a taxi driver charges Rs 4 per kilometer, they use multiplication to calculate your fare.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

MULTIPLICATION: A way of adding equal groups quickly | MULTIPLE: The result of multiplying a number by an integer | PRODUCT: The answer to a multiplication problem | TIMES TABLE: A list of multiples for a specific number

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job with the 4 Times Table! Next, you should explore the 5 Times Table. It builds on the same ideas of repeated addition and will make you even faster at mental math!