Teaching the Times Tables

Hi,

I'm someone who struggled with the basics maths as a child, but in my later years found basic maths much easier. I wonder why teaching the times table isn't taught in a different way to just reciting the times tables.

For example, why not teach times tables showing how large numbers are multiples of smaller numbers?

This way, children from an early age will understand how to work out an answer to a maths question, rather than just rely on their memory.

For example: 12 equals 1 × 12, 2 × 6, 3 × 4, 4 × 3, 6 × 2

24 equals 1 × 24, 2 × 12, 3 × 8, 4 × 6, 6 × 4, 8 × 3, 12 × 2

36 equals 1 × 36, 2 × 18, 3 × 12, 4 × 9, 6 × 6, 9 × 4, 12 × 3, 18 × 2

48 equals 1 × 48, 2 × 24, 3 × 16, 4 × 12, 6 × 8, 8 × 6, 12 × 4, 16 × 3, 24 × 2

And, if you create a 12 by 12 table and enter all the possible multiples of 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 you will see a diamond shape is formed.

Regards, Nigel