Teaching Ideas
Visit Teaching News and enter our competition to win DK books!

More Teaching Ideas Literacy Ideas and Resources Numeracy Ideas and Resources Science Ideas and Resources Information and Communication Technology Ideas and Resources Design and Technology Ideas and Resources Geography Ideas and Resources History Ideas and Resources Art Ideas and Resources Music Ideas and Resources Physical Education Ideas and Resources Religious Education Ideas and Resources Early Years Ideas and Resources Foreign Languages Ideas and Resources More Teaching Ideas
Digital Root Patterns 2
Subject: Maths
Age Range: 7 to 11

(Continued from here)

When you have worked out the digital roots of each of the multiplication sums, you can make some interesting visual patterns.

All that you need is the following diagram. You will need one for each multiplication table that you want to draw the pattern for. A page of these diagrams (with six on each page) can be found here, for you to print and photocopy.

Choose your multiplication table (e.g. 5 times table), and make a list of the digital roots (if you haven't done this already):

5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 5 1 6

Look at the first number - find this on the circle diagram. Now, draw a line from this number to the second number in your list:

Now draw a line from the second number in the list to the third number:

Draw lines from the third number to the fourth, and so on. Continue doing this, until you have reached the end of your list:

The patterns for all of the multiplication tables are shown below:

1, 8 and 10 Times Table: 1, 8 and 10 Times Table
2, 7 and 11 Times Table: 2, 7 and 11 Times Table
3, 6 and 12 Times Table: 3, 6 and 12 Times Table
4 and 5 Times Table:
9 Times Table: 9 Times Table

Digital Root Pattern Display

Here is a display based on this activity... see it in more detail on our other site Display Photos.

A variation contributed by Caroline Searle...

As well as the patterns described, other patterns can also be made using these numbers. On squared paper, draw a line the length of the first number in the sequence, then turn the paper 90 degrees to the right, then carry on drawing the next line the length of the next number. Turn 90 degrees to the right again and draw the next line the length of the third number in the sequence. Keep turning and drawing the lines and you will come up with some fantastic patterns. This is also a good activity to do on Logo.


Teaching Ideas - Providing free lesson ideas, resources and activities since 1998.
All Content © Mark Warner / Teaching Ideas 1998-2009
Graphics by ThistleGirl Designs
Home Home Contact Contact FAQ FAQ
Site Map Site Map Contribute Contribute Terms Terms
RSS Feed RSS Feed Twitter Twitter Privacy Privacy
Join the Mailing List
Enter your email address to receive
updates via email.

Teaching Ideas is kindly hosted by
RM