Doubles and halves
To double a number, add it to itself. To halve it, split it into two equal parts. Double 7 is 14, and half of 14 is 7. Choose Doubles or Halves below and race the clock.
Play doubles and halves
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This is an independent Hit the Button style game. It is not affiliated with Topmarks. Disclaimer.
Doubles to learn first
- double 12
- double 24
- double 36
- double 48
- double 510
- double 612
- double 714
- double 816
- double 918
- double 1020
Doubling numbers from 11 to 20
Partition the number. For double 16, double the 10 to get 20 and double the 6 to get 12, then add: 20 + 12 = 32. After a few rounds most children stop needing to do this and simply know it.
💡 Where doubles lead: doubling is the 2 times table. Double twice for the 4 times table, and three times for the 8 times table.
Halves are doubles backwards
If your child knows double 8 is 16, they also know half of 16 is 8. That's why playing doubles first and halves straight after works so well. In the game, pick Halves under "Choose your challenge".
Halves to learn first
- half of 21
- half of 42
- half of 63
- half of 84
- half of 105
- half of 126
- half of 147
- half of 168
- half of 189
- half of 2010
Halving tens numbers
Numbers like 30, 50 and 70 catch children out. Think of 30 as 20 + 10: half of 20 is 10, half of 10 is 5, so half of 30 is 15.
Where halves turn up
Sharing sweets fairly, cutting a recipe in half, working out half price in a sale. Halving is also the first step to quarters (halve, then halve again) and to division.
Near doubles: the shortcut that pays off
Once doubles are secure, a whole set of additions gets easier. Children who spot this stop counting on for sums that bridge 10, which the DfE's ready-to-progress criteria expect to be fluent in Year 3.
Worked example: 6 + 7
6 and 7 are one apart. Double the smaller number: double 6 = 12. Then add the extra 1 → 13. (Or double 7 = 14 and take 1 off.)
Worked example: 8 + 9
Double 8 = 16, plus 1 = 17. Same idea for 5 + 6 (double 5 + 1 = 11) and 9 + 10 (double 9 + 1 = 19).
Where it fits in school
- Reception: some double facts are part of the Number Early Learning Goal, alongside bonds to 5.
- Year 1: the national curriculum notes mention doubling and finding half of objects and quantities.
- Year 3: pupils use doubling to link the 2, 4 and 8 times tables.
Common mistakes
- Doubling only the tens. Double 16 written as 26 means the child doubled the 1 and forgot to double the 6 (or the other way round). Say it as "double 10, double 6".
- Halving odd tens. Half of 50 given as 20 or 30 is very common. Split it as 40 + 10: half is 20 + 5 = 25.
- Confusing halving with taking 2 away. Younger children sometimes say half of 10 is 8. Share 10 counters into two piles to show it.
Frequently asked questions
What does doubling and halving mean?
Doubling means adding a number to itself (or ×2). Halving means splitting into two equal parts (or ÷2). Double 8 is 16; half of 16 is 8.
When do children learn doubles and halves?
Reception includes some double facts. Year 1 notes mention doubling and finding half. Year 3 uses doubling to connect the 2, 4 and 8 times tables.
What are near doubles?
Additions where the numbers are one apart, such as 7+8. Double the smaller and add one: double 7 is 14, so 7+8 is 15.
Which numbers does the game use?
Doubles of 1 to 20 (answers 2 to 40) and halves of even numbers from 2 to 40 (answers 1 to 20).
Keep practising
Tables practice
Every table from 2 to 12, or mix them up.
Bond pairs
Pairs that make 10, 20 and 100.
Halves
Halve even numbers up to 40.
Division facts
The inverse of your times tables.
Square numbers
From 1² up to 12².
Sport themes
Sport themes — goals or baskets for every right answer.
How to play
Rules, controls and tips.
Classroom ideas
Using it in class and as a starter.