Use a Compact Method to Multiply Four-Digit Numbers by a Two-Digit Number

In this activity, we will practise using a compact written method to multiply a four-digit number by a two-digit number.

Egg farmer Brenda packs 24 eggs into each box.

If she packs 1,362 boxes. how many eggs in total has she packed?

We can solve this problem using compact written long multiplication. 

Let's look at the steps in detail. 

First, we multiply 1,362 by 4, as shown below. 

Next, we multiply 1,362 by 20, as shown below. 

Top tip: when multiplying by a multiple of ten e.g. 20, simply place a zero in the ones column and multiply the number by 2. It's much simpler! 

Lastly, we add together the two totals from Step 1 and 2, as shown below.

Does that make sense?

Let's try some questions then!