Multiplication, one of the foundational mathematical operations in arithmetic, can be fun to learn. While a lot of students find maths intimidating, getting your basics right will serve you easy multiplication tricks to do well in this subject.
What better way to do that than to learn some easy multiplication tricks. Here we have listed some cool hacks that will help multiplying quickly and effortlessly. Let’s explore them, shall we?
The Finger Hack For Multiplying By 9
This trick simply involves using your fingers to multiply by 9. All you gotta do is —
Hold out your fingers in front of you then to multiply 9 by any number, count from the left and fold down the finger corresponding to that number.
For instance, for 9 × 5, fold down the fifth finger from your left.
Count the fingers to the left of the folded finger for the tens place and the fingers to the right for the ones place. In this case, there are 4 fingers on the left and 5 on the right, so 9 × 5 = 45.
While this hack is limited as the highest you can go is 9 × 9, it is still a fun trick for practice and learning.
Large Numbers Easy Multiplication Tricks
Multiplication of large numbers can be daunting. So, why not simplify it with this neat trick. This hack involves breaking down the large numbers into smaller chunks. The process is known to be partitioning. Here’s what you have to do —
For example, calculating 95 × 23, break it down as:
(90 × 23) + (5 × 23)
2070 + 115 = 2185
The number 95 is broken down in two parts – 90 (the tens place) and 5 (the ones place). Now, by multiplying each part of the two chunks by 23 i.e. 90 × 23 and 5 × 23, you will get two products: 2070 and 115. Add them and get the final answer.
It is great to use especially when doing mental maths.
The Box Method
The box method (or area method) is a visual way to break down multiplication problems, especially for multi-digit numbers. It involves drawing a grid and splitting each number into its place values.
For example, for 34 × 12:
Split 34 into 30 and 4, and 12 into 10 and 2.
Multiply each pair: (30 × 10), (30 × 2), (4 × 10), and (4 × 2).
Add the results: 300 + 60 + 40 + 8 = 408.
This method is particularly helpful for visual learners.
Trick for Multiplying by 11
Multiplying a two-digit number by 11 can be done in seconds with this trick. To get the answer quickly, you just have to take the two digits of the number and add them together. Once done, place the sum between the original digits.
For example, for 45 × 11:
Add 4 + 5 = 9.
Place 9 between 4 and 5, making it 495.
For numbers where the sum exceeds 9, carry over the extra digit. For example, for 67 × 11:
Add 6 + 7 = 13.
Place 3 between 6 and 7 and add 1 to 6, resulting in 737.
Want More Easy Multiplication Tricks To Learn?
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