BEATCALC:  Beat the Calculator!

___________________________________________
Back to Calculation Tips & Tricks
___________________________________________

From the BEATCALC mailing list:
a weekly service from B. Lee Clay, archived here by the Math Forum.
To subscribe to the BEATCALC mailing list, write to BEATCALC@aol.com.


   Multiplying two 2-digit numbers
            (same 2nd digit)

  1. Both numbers should have the same second digit.
  2. Choose first digits whose sum is 10.
  3. Multiply the first digits and add one second: X X _ _.
  4. Multiply the second digits together: _ _ X X.

   Example:

  1. If the first number is 67, choose 47 as the second number (same second digit, first digits add to 10).
  2. Multiply the 1st digits, add one 2nd.
    6x4 = 24, 24+7 = 31. 3 1 _ _
  3. Multiply the 2nd digits. 7x7 = 49 _ _ 4 9
  4. So 67 x 47 = 3149.

   See the pattern?

  1. If the first number is 93, choose 13 as the second number (same second digit, first digits add to 10).
  2. Multiply the 1st digits, add one 2nd. 9x1 = 9, 9+3 = 12.
    1 2 _ _
  3. Multiply the 2nd digits. 3x3 = 9 _ _ 0 9
  4. So 93 x 13 = 1209.


webmaster@forum.swarthmore.edu
3 November 1997
Web page design by Sarah Seastone