Multiplication is essentially addition repeated. For example, take 8 multiplied by 3. This equation is basically 8 plus 8 plus 8, which equals 24. Therefore, 8 times 3 is 24. [1] X Research source In addition to multiplying by whole numbers, you can multiply numbers by fractions or decimals. If you take 8 times 3. 5, you’re taking 8 plus 8 plus 8 plus half of 8, which is 4. This comes out to 28. Therefore, 8 times 3. 5 is 28. [2] X Research source
Decide how high you want to be able to multiply in your head. Some people want to be able to multiply numbers only up to 10. Some people go as high as 12 to 15 and some people go even higher. Make a decision based on your own personal goals as well as your current skill level in mathematics. Then, write up a time table for yourself on a piece of scrap paper. You can also find time tables online. Each day, practice your time table. It’s best to memorize tables in chunks. For example, start with the twos. Write down all the 2’s from 1 to 10 every day. 2 X 1 is 2, 2 X 2 is 4, 2 X 3 is 6 and so on. The best means to memorization is repetition. The act of simply writing down your times tables each day can greatly improve your multiplication skills. Try writing down one set 10 times each day. Once you have mastered that set, move on to the next set.
Choose friends who are hard workers. If you study with friends that tend to have difficulty concentrating, you’re likely to distract one another. Choose study partners whose work ethic you admire. [3] X Research source Strive to work with people who are skilled at mathematics. This way, if you’re stuck or confused on a problem you can ask for their assistance. [4] X Research source
Read actively. Go over your multiplication tables and read each answer out loud. Try to think about the underlying concept behind the tables. For example, when reading 3 X 5 is 15, think of how 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15. [5] X Research source When reading through your multiplication tables, pause and recite what you’ve just read. For example, after reading 3 X 5 equals 15 stop, look up, and say to yourself, “Three times five is fifteen. “[6] X Research source Review your material when you are finished. Remember, you’re reviewing what you ultimately want to accomplish and not what you have already committed to memory. After you have finished reading and reciting one grouping of your multiplication table, take a moment to briefly re-read the table. [7] X Research source
Remember, 5 is the equivalent of 10/2. This means you can figure out a multiple of five in your head by multiplying that number by 10 and then dividing by 2. Remember, multiplying numbers by 10 is easy because you simply add a zero to the end of the number multiplied to find the solution. [12] X Research source For example, take 5 times 26. To figure out the value in your head, remember that 26 times 10 is 260. Divide 260 by 2 to get 130. Therefore, 5 X 26 equals 130. [13] X Research source
Take the equation 9 X 24. As 9 is equal to 10 minus 1, we can rewrite the equation as 24 X (10-1). We can further rewrite the equation as 24 X 10 - 24, using the distributive property of mathematics. [14] X Research source It’s easy to multiply by powers of 10. We know that 24 X 10 is 240. Then, subtract 24 to get 216. Therefore, 9 X 24 equals 216. [15] X Research source
Look at the equation 47 X 24. Double 47 to get 94. Half 24 to get 12. Then, repeat the process to get 188 X 6. Then again to get the problem 3 X 376. This problem is much easier to figure out by hand. The answer comes to 1,128. [16] X Research source If you’re in a bind with a problem, simply double and halve numbers until you get an easy equation to solve by hand.
