Step-By-Step Multiplication

Contributor: Katie Schnabel. Lesson ID: 14154

It is just a fact. Tasks are easier to complete when you break them down into smaller parts. Discover how multiplying 2-digit numbers can be a breeze if you do it one step at a time.

categories

Elementary

subject
Math
learning style
Visual
personality style
Lion, Beaver
Grade Level
Intermediate (3-5)
Lesson Type
Skill Sharpener

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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You don't know how this keeps happening. You try to keep your room clean and tidy, but it always ends up a mess! And now it has become so messy that it is overwhelming.

  • Where do you even begin?

young girl looking at the camera with her hands on hips in the middle of a messy room

Tackling a big mess isn’t so bad if you break it down.

The best thing to do is start small and take it one step at a time. Maybe you start by picking up one corner of the room, or maybe put all the clothes in the hamper or all the books in the bookshelf.

Completing small tasks in the right order can make the job less scary. The same is also true of multiplying 2-digit numbers!

  • Do you ever look at a huge mess and wonder where to start, like cleaning your room or solving a tough math problem?

That’s how multiplying two-digit numbers can feel at first—it seems impossible to do in your head!

But don’t worry, just like cleaning, you can break it down into steps, and it won’t feel overwhelming at all!

Look at the problem 32 x 14.

  • What do you do first?

Step One

First, set the problem up vertically — one number on top of the other. You can use a place value chart like this one.

place value chart showing the hundreds, tens, and ones columns

Set up your problem so that the 32 is on top with the 3 in the tens place and the 2 in the ones place.

Then, write 14 underneath so that the 1 is in the tens column and the 4 is in the ones column.

set up the equation vertically

Now you can start multiplying.

Step Two

Start with the bottom number in the ones place. In this case it is 4.

Multiply it by the top number in the ones place. In this case, it is 2.

multiply 4 times 2

  • What is 4 x 2?

You got it, 8! Write that down in the ones column.

solve 4 times 2

Next, take the same bottom number (4) and multiply it by the top number in the tens place, In this case, it is 3.

multiply 4 times 3

  • What is 4 x 3?

You go it. 12.

Because there is no number in the hundreds place, you can write the whole number 12.

solve 4 times 3

Step Three

Now is the trickiest and most forgettable part of multiplying 2-digit numbers: the zero placeholder!

Multiplying by the bottom number in the tens place makes your answer ten times bigger, so you must start writing in the tens place. To do that, place a zero in the ones place as a placeholder.

zero placeholder

Step Four

Repeat the multiplication process, but start with the bottom number in the tens place. In this case, 1.

Multiply it by the top number in the ones place (2).

multiply 1 times 2

  • What is 1 x 2?

2, of course! But remember that the 1 in this case is actually a ten (10 x 2), so you write the 2 in the tens column.

solve 1 times 2

Multiply the same bottom number (1) by the top number in the tens place (3).

multiply 1 times 3

  • What is 1 x 3?

Yep! 3.

Since the 1 and 3 are in the tens column, it is actually like multiplying 10 times 30. This would give you 300, so it makes sense that the 3 will go in the hundreds column.

solve 1 times 3

Phew! So far so good.

Step Five

Now it is time to add it all together. Start on the right side with the ones column and work your way across.

  • What is 8 + 0?
  • What is 2 + 2?
  • What is 1 + 3?

Your final answer is 448! 

final answer of 448

  • Not so hard, right?

You just solved a big multiplication problem by breaking it into small steps!

Now, try this one: 35 x 28. Start just like before—write the numbers one on top of the other.

Remember, begin with the bottom number in the ones place (the 8), and multiply it by the top number ones place (the 5).

  • What is 8 x 5?

That's right! 40.

  • But how do you write 40 in the ones place?

Write the zero in the ones place, but then carry the 4 over to the tens place where it belongs. You will work with it in a moment when you multiply by the tens place.

carry the 4 over

Now multiply 8 by 3, which equals 24.

  • But what do you do about the 4 you carried to the tens place?

Simply add the 4 to your answer of 24. 24 + 4 equals 28, so write 28 below.

add the 4 that was carried over

Great job! Now, cross off the 4 you carried so it doesn’t get in the way as you continue.

Here comes an important step! Since you're moving on to the tens place, don’t forget to put a zero as a placeholder in the ones place.

Next, multiply the bottom tens place number (2) by the top ones place number (5).

  • What is 2 x 5?

That’s right! It’s 10.

Again, you can't put the whole ten in the tens place because it is really saying 20 x 5, so place the 0 in the tens place and carry the 1 to the tens place

carry the 1 over

Now, multiply 2 times 3, which equals 6. Don't forget to add the 1 you carried over!

6 = 1 equals 7, so write 7 in the hundred place.

 add the 1 as a carry over

Awesome! Now it’s time to add everything together.

  • What is 0 + 0?
  • What si 8 + 0?
  • What is 2 + 7?

Well done! The answer is 980.

final answer of 980

You did an amazing job multiplying those big numbers!

Now, you’re ready for the Got It? section where you can practice your skills!

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