1 Times Table — Tips, Tricks & Practice for the One Times Table

Learn the 1 times table with tips, patterns and practice ideas. The complete one times table from 1×1 to 1×12, with strategies to help children understand the identity property of multiplication.

The 1 times table is the simplest of all the times tables. Multiplying any number by 1 gives the number itself — a rule mathematicians call the identity property. While it requires no memorisation, understanding why it works helps children build a solid foundation for every other table.

The 1 Times Table in Full

FactProduct
1 × 11
1 × 22
1 × 33
1 × 44
1 × 55
1 × 66
1 × 77
1 × 88
1 × 99
1 × 1010
1 × 1111
1 × 1212

Patterns in the 1 Times Table

The Number Stays the Same

This is the only pattern you need: 1 × n = n. One group of seven is seven. One group of twelve is twelve. The answer is always the number you started with.

This is the identity property of multiplication — multiplying by 1 does not change the value. Children do not need to know the name, but grasping the idea is important.

It Works Both Ways

Because multiplication is commutative (the order does not matter), 1 × 8 and 8 × 1 both equal 8. This means knowing the 1 times table also gives children a free fact in every other table:

  • 3 × 1 = 3 (a free fact in the 3 times table)
  • 7 × 1 = 7 (a free fact in the 7 times table)
  • 12 × 1 = 12 (a free fact in the 12 times table)

When children start learning harder tables, they already know the × 1 fact for each one.

Why the 1 Times Table Matters

Although it seems trivially easy, the 1 times table introduces important ideas:

  • What multiplication means. One group of something is that thing. This concrete understanding helps when children move on to two groups (the 2 times table) and beyond.
  • The identity property. Understanding that multiplying by 1 leaves a number unchanged is a building block for later work with fractions, algebra and number properties.
  • Confidence. Every times table has easy facts alongside harder ones. Knowing that any table × 1 is always the table number gives children a guaranteed correct answer — a good starting point when tackling a tricky table like the 7s or 8s.

Connection to Other Tables

The 1 times table connects to every other table at the × 1 position:

Table× 1 fact
2 times table2 × 1 = 2
5 times table5 × 1 = 5
9 times table9 × 1 = 9
12 times table12 × 1 = 12

This is the easiest fact in every table. When children are learning a new table, starting with the × 1 fact can build momentum before moving to the harder products.

Practice Ideas

  • Use physical objects to show “one group of” — one plate with 5 grapes, one bag with 8 marbles. Ask: “How many altogether?” The answer is always the number in the group.
  • When introducing a new table, always start with × 1 to give children a confident first answer.
  • Ask reversal questions: “What do I multiply by 1 to get 9?” This reinforces that 1 × n = n in both directions.
  • Use Times Tables Check to practise multiplication facts across all the tables — the 1 times table gives a confidence boost alongside harder questions.