Multiplication using a box method

Multiplication using a box method

Multiplication can be done using a box method. The following steps are used in the box multiplication method:

1. Draw lines to create rows and columns by considering the digits of the given numbers.

2. Write the multiplicand horizontally in the first row with each digit in a separate box. Also, write the multiplier vertically in the last column. In Example 4, the multiplicand and multiplier are written in red colour.

3. The multiplier can be written vertically in the first or last column. In Example 4, the multiplier is written vertically in the last column.

4. Divide each box diagonally to get two identical right-angled triangles, one at the top of the other as seen in Example 4. The green lines have been used in dividing the boxes.

5. Multiply the multiplicand with each digit in the multiplier starting from right to left.

6. In each box, write tens in the upper triangle and ones in the lower triangle.

7. Add the numbers along the parallelograms, trapezia or triangles formed between the parallel lines starting from the lower most corner at right hand side.

8. Write the product sequentially starting from the left end side to the right end side, in sequence. In Example 4, the arrows show how the product is obtained.

Example 4

324 493 × 3 075 =

Solution

Therefore, 324 493 × 3 075 = 997 815 975.