Chinese and Japanese multiplication method

Growing up has its advantages indeed. You have learned the multiplication table by heart, you have graduated and you use a computer to do those ugly multiplications for you, because you have had enough of low grades in maths, due to your lack of concentration (?) or not being good with numbers.

As this might not be something new for some, I was really excited to find out that there is a much simpler way to multiply (especially large numbers). Well, provided you are 12 and you still have difficulties when having to multiply some larger numbers in school.

So, here you go:

chinese multiplication method

Chinese multiplication method

Might seem a little awkward at first, but once you see this:

it all becomes a piece of cake!
I guess this method is pretty cool since one doesn’t need to memorize the multiplication table and can stick to adding, which is a lot easier.

We now consider teaching Irma to do this when she grows older (i.e. goes to school). I do have my doubts though, that they will let her use it in the classroom or in test papers. Maybe just as handy method to verify her results. Or who knows! Maybe they will be excited about it!

What do you think? Is it simpler and/or cooler and/or faster and/or less brain damaging (kidding) than the methods you have grown up with?

 

* I must apologize to the Japanese readers! This is the Chinese and Japanese multiplication method. I think it could be called the Asian multiplication method, aka the Line-Method?

also see The Japanese Multiplication Method for Kids.

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