Written multiplication can be done step-by-step by setting out the calculation carefully and remembering to carry numbers if necessary.

 

Example

Work out

 

78 × 7

 

Answer

Rewrite the calculation vertically, like this:

 

Multiply the numbers in the ones column together, so 8 × 7 = 56. 

Write the 6 in the ones column and carry the 5 tens below on to the doorstep of the tens column. 

 

 

Next, multiply the numbers in the tens column together, so 7 × 7 = 49 and add the 5 that was on the doorstep.

 

 

This gives us 49 + 5 = 54, so we write the 4 in the tens column and the 5 in the hundreds column.

 

 

So      78 × 7 = 546

 

Does that make sense?

 

 

We can look at this example again by clicking on the red help button on the side of the screen.