writing about multiplication

paprikapink · Nov 6, 2007

I think it's "times tables" with no apostrophe , I mean, that's my impulse, but actually thinking about it is making me insecure....and that's not even my real question.

Is it the two's table? the twos table? the two tables? the two times-table? And I know that my author is not going to want to spell out the numbers. So I'm going to be faced with 2s table vs. 2's table vs. etc. And 2 table looks good and weird, don't it.

For some reason this really hurts my brain. I'd almost rather do the math. Help!

Sandi LeFaucheur · Nov 7, 2007

I'd say two times table. I've never seen it referred to as twos table, or anything that doesn't have "times" in it.

Mandy-Jane · Nov 7, 2007

What about 2 x tables? To me, that reads as two times tables, but without having to spell out the number and the word times.

CaroGirl · Nov 7, 2007

I'd say "2-times tables" because 2-times is an adjective describing the tables (although I'd spell it out as two-times tables). And times doesn't take an apostrophe.

paprikapink · Nov 7, 2007

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. They all sound good! Oh dear.

TheIT · Nov 7, 2007

I've always heard them referred to as "multiplication tables".

Skippy · Nov 7, 2007

we always used times table in school as in two times table or 4 times table etc... I don't remember ever using an apostrophe but then it's been a long time...

IceCreamEmpress · Nov 7, 2007

I think "times tables" and "the two-times tables" make the most sense.

They're multiplication tables, or tables of multiplication, not tables belonging to multiplication, so no apostrophe is needed when you substitute the colloquial "times" for "multiplication".

writing about multiplication

paprikapink

Bored fanatic

Sandi LeFaucheur

Mandy-Jane

venturing ever further into the unknown

CaroGirl

Living the dream

paprikapink

Bored fanatic

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

Skippy

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago