Finger Multiplication by Nine
by Paul Horrell   in the Mathematics Teacher February 2003


  The "finger folding" 
multiplication by 9 can be 
expanded to include multiplicands 
up to 99.

The algorithm used is similar to 
the following: 
To multiply a two-digit number by 
9, 
ENTER the multiplicand by forming 
a V between the tens-digit finger 
and the next finger to its right 
(SPREAD). 
ENTER the units digit by FOLDing 
the units-digit finger.


To read the product

Hundreds digit: Count the standing 
fingers before the SPREAD.

Tens digit: Moving from left to 
  right, count the fingers from 
  the SPREAD to the FOLD; wrap 
  around if necessary.

Units digit: Count the standing 
  fingers to the right of the FOLD.

Example:
48x9

Enter (1 2 3 4 _ 5 6 7 F 9 0)

   Read:
   Hundreds (1 2 3 4) 4
   Tens (5 6 7) 3
   Units (9 0) 2

Example with wraparound:
83 x 9

Enter (1 2 F 4 5 6 7 8 _ 9 0)

   Read:
   Hundreds (1245 6 78) 7
   Tens (9 0 1 2) 4
   Units (45 6 7890) 7 





Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher