What to notice
The pattern holds for 11, 22, 33 and on up to 99. After that it changes: 110 ÷ 11 = 10, 121 ÷ 11 = 11 and 132 ÷ 11 = 12.
The reason is that 11 is 10 + 1. 66 is 6 tens and 6 ones, which is six 10s and six 1s, so it is six 11s. Explaining that once turns the pattern into something your child understands rather than a trick.
A two-digit number whose digits are different, like 45, is not in the 11s. That makes the 11s one of the easiest tables to check: if the digits do not match, look again.
Elevens give a quick estimate check too. 88 ÷ 11 must be a little less than 88 ÷ 10, which is a little less than 9, so an answer of 8 makes sense, while 80 or 18 clearly does not. Asking “is it a bit less than the 10s answer?” catches many slips.
How to practise at home
- Write the two-digit facts as a list and let your child spot the pattern.
- Learn 121 ÷ 11 and 132 ÷ 11 separately, checking with multiplication: 11 × 12 = 132.
- Use soccer teams of 11 players: “55 players is how many teams?” is 55 ÷ 11.
- The 11s often come quickly in the drill on this page; 121 ÷ 11 and 132 ÷ 11 are the ones to watch.
- Compare each fact with its 10s neighbour: 70 ÷ 10 = 7 and 77 ÷ 11 = 7. Seeing the same answer from two tables shows how close 10 and 11 are, and why the doubled-digit pattern works.
- Let your child invent facts: write any digit twice, from 11 to 99, and divide by 11. Making up their own facts is a fun check that the pattern is understood.
Slips to watch for
- Treating 110 ÷ 11 like the doubled-digit pattern, and answering 1 or 11. Ten 11s is 110, so the answer is 10.
- Answering 2 for 121 ÷ 11. It is eleven 11s.
- Seeing a doubled digit and dividing by 11 when the fact asks something else, such as 44 ÷ 4. Read the whole fact before answering.
- Mixing up 11 and 12 near the top, and answering 12 for 121 ÷ 11 because 121 starts like 12. Check with multiplication: 11 × 11 = 121.