Try This Simple Trick To Make Multiplication Easier

Instructables

If you have a child who is struggling with multiplication (or just loves learning new things), then this trick could be pretty handy (pun intended).

Now, there’s always good old memorization, but sometimes it’s helpful to know that you have a built-in cheat sheet.

Note: This only works for 6*, 7, 8 and 9 times tables, but those are typically the most challenging ones. *This trick does not work for 6×6.

Step 1:

  • Staring with your pinkie fingers and working your way to your thumb, number your fingers from 6 through 10.
  • Line up the fingers that correspond to your math problem. For example: when multiplying 7 x 8, line up the correct numbered finger on each hand. See the example below:

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Instructables

Step 2:

Now that you have your fingers lined up, here is where the magic happens.

  • Add the two lined-up fingers and the ones below it. For this example, it would be 5 fingers. This number will be the first number in your final answer (the number in the 10’s column, so here, 5 = 50).

Step 3:

  • Now multiply the top fingers on your left hand by the top fingers on your right hand. Here, it would be 3 x 2. This equals 6. This is the second number in your final answer (the number in the 1s column).

Step 4:

  • Combine the two numbers and you have your answer: 56.  Pretty cool!

This is just one of many ways to make learning math a little easier It can’t hurt to try it, right?

More Help For Tricky Math Problems

If numbers and equations aren’t your strong suit, then you might want to also check out these math hacks while you’re at it. There’s the Butterfly method, which makes adding and subtracting fractions a piece of cake:

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ayounes/Imgur

There’s also this multiplication trick for finding a quick way to find the product of any number multiplied by 11. Genius, right?

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WonderHowTo

And if percentages always stump you, then you’ll want to have this one in your back pocket.

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LifeHacks/Twitter

Of course, if you’ve just never understood how to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, then this one’s for you.

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quaxon/Reddit

Need some more help? Here are more handy math hacks for you to put to use.

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About the Author
Will Schuerman
Will loves discovering and sharing tips to help make life easier. In addition to his passion for hacks and tips, Will is a former granola business proprietor and a life long techie.

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