BEATCALC:  Beat the Calculator!

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Back to Calculation Tips & Tricks
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From the BEATCALC mailing list:
a weekly service from B. Lee Clay, archived here by the Math Forum.
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   Multiplying a 2-digit number by 99

  1. Select a 2-digit number.
  2. Add two zeros to the number.
  3. Subtract the original number from the second number.

   Example:

  1. The 2-digit number chosen to multiply by 99 is 79.
  2. Add two zeros: 7900.
  3. Subtract the 2-digit number:
    7900 - 79 = 7900 - 80 + 1 = 7820 + 1 = 7821.
  4. So 79 x 99 = 7821.

   See the pattern?

  1. The 2-digit number chosen to multiply by 99 is 42.
  2. Add two zeros: 4200.
  3. Subtract the 2-digit number:
    4200 - 42 = 4200 - 40 - 2 = 4160 - 2 = 4158.
  4. So 42 x 99 = 4158.


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