How to do long multiplication

Imagine you’re sitting at a kitchen table, surrounded by scattered papers filled with numbers and equations. It’s exam season, and you find yourself staring blankly at a long multiplication problem that seems to stretch on forever. The pressure to get it right is mounting, and you can’t help but wonder if there’s an easier way to tackle these seemingly daunting calculations. We’ve all been there, and understanding the process behind long multiplication can make all the difference in solving these tricky problems with confidence.

To do long multiplication, write the numbers one below the other, lining them up according to their place values. Multiply each digit of the bottom number by each digit of the top number, starting from the rightmost digit, and write the results underneath, shifting one place to the left for each new digit. Finally, add up all the rows to get the final product.

Long multiplication is a method used for multiplying larger numbers by breaking them down into simpler steps. Here’s how to do it in detail:

1. Write the Numbers: Start by writing the larger number (the multiplicand) on top and the smaller number (the multiplier) directly underneath it, ensuring that the numbers are aligned by their place values (units, tens, hundreds, etc.).

2. Multiply by Each Digit: Begin with the rightmost digit of the multiplier. Multiply this digit by each digit of the multiplicand, starting from the rightmost side. Write each result directly below the line, starting from the right and moving left.

3. Shift for Each New Digit: When you move to the next digit of the multiplier, add a zero to the right of your result before starting your multiplication process again. This ‘shifts’ your results into the correct place value.

4. Add Up the Results: Once all digits of the multiplier have been processed, you will have several rows of results. Add these rows together, starting from the rightmost column and carrying over any values as necessary, just like in standard addition.

5. Final Result: The sum you obtain at the end is the final product of the multiplication. Practice will help solidify this process and increase your speed and accuracy.

With this method, you can confidently tackle any long multiplication problem that comes your way!