2-digit by 2-digit multiplication, step by step
A two-digit multiplier is the real leap: now there are two rows to work and then add.
The question
53 × 41
53 41 532120 2173
- 53 × 41, set out in columns. Split the 41 by place value and take one piece at a time.
- The 1 is in the ones, so it is just 1: 53 × 1 = 53.
- The 4 is in the tens, so it is worth 40 — not 4. That is why this row is 53 × 40 = 2120, and why it ends in 0.
- Now add the pieces: 53 + 2120 = 2173.
How it works.
- 01
53 × 41, set out in columns. Split the 41 by place value and take one piece at a time.
- 02
The 1 is in the ones, so it is just 1: 53 × 1 = 53.
- 03
The 4 is in the tens, so it is worth 40 — not 4. That is why this row is 53 × 40 = 2120, and why it ends in 0.
- 04
Now add the pieces: 53 + 2120 = 2173.