Multiplying together 2-digit numbers where the first digits are the same and the last digits sum to 10

Let's say you want to multiply 42 by 48. You notice that the first digit is 4 in both cases. You also notice that the other digits, 2 and 8, sum to 10. You can then use this trick: multiply the first digit by one more than itself to get the first part of the answer and multiply the last digits together to get the second (right) part of the answer.

An illustration is in order:

To calculate 42x48: Multiply 4 by 4+1. So, 4x5 = 20. Write down 20.

Multiply together the last digits: 2x8 = 16. Write down 16.

The product of 42 and 48 is thus 2016.

Notice that for this particular example you could also have noticed that 42 and 48 differ by 6

and have applied technique number 4.

Another example: 64x66. 6x7 = 42. 4x6 = 24. The product is 4224.

A final example: 86x84. 8x9 = 72. 6x4 = 24. The product is 7224

Posted in: Maths, Multiplication