Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 4

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Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 4 *
- Take a 2-digit number ending in 4.
- Square the 4; the last digit is 6: _ _ _ 6. (Keep carry, 1.)
- Multiply the first digit by 8 and add the carry (1); the 2nd number will be
the next to the last digit: _ _ X 6. (Keep carry.)
- Square the first digit and add the carry: X X _ _.
Example:
- If the number is 34, 4 x 4 = 16 (keep carry, 1); the last digit is _ _ _ 6.
- 8 x 3 = 24 (multiply the first digit by 8), 24 + 1 = 25 (add the carry):
the next digit is 5: _ _ 5 6. (Keep carry, 2.)
- Square the first digit and add the carry, 2: 1 1 5 6.
- So 34 x 34 = 1156.
See the pattern?
- For 84 x 84, 4 x 4 = 16 (keep carry, 1); the last digit is _ _ _ 6.
- 8 x 8 = 64 (multiply the first digit by 8), 64 + 1 = 65 (add the carry):
the next digit is 5: _ _ 5 6. (Keep carry, 6.)
- Square the first digit and add the carry, 6: 7 0 5 6.
- So 84 x 84 = 7056.
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* From the BEATCALC mailing list.
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14 January 1996