How to Multiply Faster and Easily

This article makes the system of long hand multiplication much more visible and apparent. The result is increased speed in multiplying and can be carried out in your head.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper
• Pen
• Thought

1. 
   Original problem

   I will use the example of 34 x 52.

2. 
   The arrow shows 4 x 2 = 8 vertically.

   Multiply the last column vertically, so 4 x 2 = 8

3. 
   Cris-Cross multiplication and carrying the 2.

   Now comes the real trick. Cris-Cross the terms in both columns. Note that 5x4= 20 and 3x2 = 6. Once you have these values add them to get 26.

4. 
   Adding the 2 from the last step.

   Now, take the 6 from the 26 and write it under the sum bar, in front of the 8. Carry the 2 and write it above the 3 in the number 34.

5. 
   Vertically multiplying and carrying the 2.

   Now do as before; multiply vertically 5x3 = 15. You also carried the 2 from the previous step so add that to get 15 + 2 = 17. Place the 17 in front of the 6.

6. Now, practice, practice, practice! One you get the hang of this method it is fairly simply to carry out in your mind's eye!

Tips & Warnings

• Practice!
• Check results with normal multiplying or a calculator.
• Try not to poke eyes out with your pen :)

[voliegurl]

on 12/20/2008 Always need new methods for math, thanks!

[Rockney]

on 12/3/2008 A very tedious trick! 5*!

[rjessiegreen]

on 11/18/2008 Wow! I had to concentrate on step 3, but once I absorbed that step the concept of speedy multiplication became really exciting! Gotta show the kids this neat trick.

[edwardselorio]

on 11/16/2008 this one is really great, my daugther will surely benefit this mathemagic

[draik]

on 11/16/2008 This is great. So many tricks to math. This is just another one.