Math Magic: Let’s Make Multiplying Quick, Fun, and Easy
I’ve heard all the horror stories about math and I know that the subject is challenging. But math is actually magical — and today I’ll show you tricks to make multiplication easy-peasy.
ARE YOU having a hard time solving multiplication problems? Last time I checked, it’s a normal dilemma for many students, and it’s also a reason why many hate mathematics even if they use it everyday — yes, math is in traveling, shopping, and even baking! But don’t worry, because here are some easy-to-learn tips and tricks that will make multiplying two to three digits quick, fun, and easy.
A review
Before we start, let’s review the parts of the multiplication equation first.
The factors are the numbers that are multiplied. The factor before the multiplication sign is called the multiplicand, while the factor after the multiplication sign is called the multiplier. It tells how many times the multiplicand is added to itself. The result of the multiplication is called the product.
Now that our memory’s refreshed, let’s get on with the tricks!
Multiplying numbers below 50
Example: 32 × 24= 768
Step 1. Multiply the multiplicand to the first digit of the multiplier, or 32 × 2. The answer will be 64.
Step 2. Affix a zero to the rightmost side of the partial product 64; it will become 640. The number 64 is called a partial product because it’s not yet the full answer even if we multiplied two numbers already.
Step 3. Next, multiply the multiplicand to the last digit of the number, or or 32 × 4. The answer will be 128.
Step 4. Finally, add 640 and 128 to get the final answer — 768.
The down, down, crisscross method
Example: 47× 53= 2491
Step 1. Note the value of each digit: 47 is 40 + 7, while 53 is 50 + 3. Line them up the usual way.
Step 2. Down, down. Multiply 40 and 50 to get 2000, then 7 and 3 to get 21.
Step 3. Crisscross. Multiply 40 by 3 to get 120, then 7 and 50 to get 350.
Step 4. Add the partial products: 2000 + 21 + 120 + 350 to get the final answer: 2491.
Multiplying three-digit numbers close to 100.
Example: 104 × 102= 10608
Step 1. Find the difference of the factors from 100, or 104–100 = 4 and 102–100 = 2.
Step 2. Add the differences to 100; thus, 100 + 4 + 2 = 106. You now have 106 as your partial answer.
Step 3. Affix a zero to the rightmost side of your partial answer, so it will become 1060.
Step 4. Multiply the differences you obtained, or 4 × 2 = 8. Affix this result to your most recent partial answer which is 1060. The answer will be 10608.
Squaring two-digit numbers close to 100
Squaring is another form of multiplication. It means multiplying a number by itself for a number of times based on the exponent, or the superscript number found at the end.
Example: 96² = 9216 (It means that you need to multiply 96 by itself twice, or 96 × 96.)
Step 1. Subtract the given number from 100, like this: 100–96 = 4.
Step 2. Subtract the difference from 96, or 96–4 = 92.
Step 3. Square the number obtained in Step 1. Then, affix a zero in front of the answer — but only if the answer is a one-digit number. In our example, we will square 4: 4² = 16.
Step 4. Combine the answers from Step 2 and Step 3 to get the final answer, which is 9216.
So you see? Math can be a little tricky at times, but it sure has a lot of “hidden” techniques that you can discover and use to make learning math quick, fun, and easy!
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About us. The Shekinah Standard is an online publication of and by Shekinah Learning School learners and alumni.
About the writer. Jazlyn Reign Santos is a Grade Seven learner whose favorite things on earth include numerical problems and manga. They may not be compatible at first sight, but trust us — it can work!
