Just seen a neat technique for multiplying large numbers fairly easily.

It visually represents the multiplication so that the result can almost be counted off the page.

It's going to be hard to describe but take 12 x 23 for example.

This can almost be treated in a similar way to a quadratic equation using the FOIL rule...

(10 + 2) x (20 + 3) = 200 + 30 + 40 + 6 = 276

The visual representation is as follows...



So the lines represent the numbers you are multiplying, 12 on the left and 23 on the right.

The red dots represent the result. (If the red dots in a section add to more then 9 then carry the remainder to the left).

You may be able to do it using long division or in your head but for large numbers it's a nice little trick.

Can you link a website with more details? This is very interesting...

I saw it in a video on youtube but I think it's from a mathematics technique called Vedic maths.

I may start practising a bit as it seems like a very easy way to get into multiplying large numbers in your head.

Google Vedic Maths and you might have some luck with sites. Let me know as I'm rushing out of the house again now!

Interesting, but I'd simply calculate it as 10x23=230 + 2x23=46 = 276.

It may make more sense (to me) with a more complex example.

Ditto, that's how I've done large multiples for years.

True, but I've just done 1732 x 6252 in about 30 seconds.

Although it may be about the same as it would take me that long using standard long multiplication I think it could be used to aid doing it purely in your head.

I saw this the other week, pretty nifty.

Are we now going to look for ancient stone formations that show pre-history man was working out his accounts using this system?

I read a easy way in a mag a few months ago. Apparently it was taught in pre war Germany. It worked well too.

I forget what it was though.

thanks to this thread I am now embaressed to be a member of this forum

Excellent.

Because you've learned a new way to do maths? Riiiiighhhttt....

nop because it looks like the geekiest thread ever and im not even a geek or a mathmetician or a pc enthusiast etc

Then why are you here at all?

To study the behaviour patterns and differances of eccentric forum members

Ah so you're a psychologist then??