Multiplication Tricks for Middle School Students
Multiplication
is one of the most important arithmetic operations for primary and middle
school students. It is used in a number of areas of mathematics such as arithmetic,
algebra, fractions, percentages and problem solving. Multiplying large numbers
can sometimes become difficult. Learning a few smart tricks can make the multiplication
faster and easier. These multiplication tricks help students improve their
mental maths and problem-solving skills.
First Trick
The first
helpful trick is the multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000 trick. When a
number is multiplied by 10, we simply add one zero at the end. When it is
multiplied by 100, we add two zeros, and when it is multiplied by 1000, we add
three zeros.
For example:
25 × 10 = 250
25 × 100 = 2500
25 × 1000 = 25000
This trick is very useful in mental calculations when the multiplier is 10,
100, 1000, etc.
Second Trick
The second
useful trick is the breaking numbers method. In this method, large
numbers are broken into smaller parts, in which one part is a multiple of 10, 20,
30, etc. For example, to multiply 53 × 6, we can break 53 into 50 + 3.
Now,
multiply each part by 6:
50 × 6 = 300
3 × 6 = 18
Now, add the results: 300 + 18 = 318.
This method makes multiplication easier because smaller numbers are simpler to multiply.
Third
Trick
The third
useful trick is the doubling and halving trick. This trick works when
one number is even. For example, consider 18 × 25. We can halve 18 and
double 25:
9 × 50 = 450.
In this trick, one number is doubled and the other number is halved. The answer
remains the same, but the calculation becomes easier.
Fourth
Trick
Another
interesting trick is the multiplying by 9 trick. When multiplying a
number by 9, you can use a quick subtraction method. Multiply the number by 10
and then subtract the original number from the product.
For example:
9 × 13 = (10 × 13) − 13
= 130 − 13
= 117
This trick works well if one of the two numbers is 9.
Fifth
Trick
The area
or box method is also very useful for primary and middle school students
when multiplying two-digit numbers. For example, to multiply 23 × 34,
first break the numbers into parts:
23 = 20 + 3
34 = 30 + 4
Now multiply
each pair:
20 × 30 = 600
20 × 4 = 80
3 × 30 = 90
3 × 4 = 12
Finally, add
all results:
600 + 80 + 90 + 12 = 782.
This multiplication trick helps students understand multiplication clearly and
reduces mistakes.
Sixth
Trick
The last but
not the least multiplication trick is the multiplying numbers close to 100
method. For example, if we want to multiply 98 × 97, both numbers
are close to 100. Subtract each number from 100:
100 − 98 = 2
100 − 97 = 3
Now subtract
crosswise:
98 − 3 = 95 (or 97 − 2 = 95)
Multiply the
differences:
2 × 3 = 6
The answer is
9506.
Similarly, if
you want to multiply 95 × 96, both numbers are close to 100.
Subtract
each number from 100:
100 − 95 = 5
100 − 96 = 4
Now subtract
crosswise:
95 − 4 = 91 (or 96 − 5 = 91)
Multiply the
differences:
5 × 4 = 20
The answer is
9120.
Practicing
these multiplication tricks regularly can help middle school students improve
their speed and accuracy in mathematics.