How to Multiply Two Digit Numbers Mentally

Co-authored by Joseph Meyer

Last Updated: April 6, 2024

Using the standard algorithm to multiply two 2-digit numbers is sufficient for most purposes; however, its multiple steps can leave you looking for a quick and easy way to find the product of these types of numbers. If you know your basic math facts and have good number sense, you can use a number of techniques to multiply two 2-digit numbers mentally. If you are familiar with the difference of two squares, you can modify your two factors so that they fit this algebraic formula. You can also manipulate the factors by using the distributive property, or by doubling and halving, until you come up with two new numbers that are easier to work with.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding the Difference of Two Squares

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1
Find the average of the two factors you are multiplying. To find the average, add both numbers together, then divide by 2. You can also think of this as the number that both factors are equidistant from. ^{[1]
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Research source}
- Note that this method only works if the average of the two factors is a whole number.
- For example, if you are calculating $23\times 17$ , find the average of 23 and 17:
  ${\frac {23+17}{2}}={\frac {40}{2}}=20$
  So, the average is 20. In other words, 23 and 17 are equidistant from 20.
2
Find the difference between each factor and their average. This difference should be the same for both numbers.
- For example, since the average of 23 and 17 is 20, you would calculate $23-20=3$ and $20-17=3$ . So, the difference between each factor and their average is 3.
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3
Recall the formula for the difference of two squares. The formula is $(a+b)(a-b)=a^{{2}}-b^{{2}}$ ^{[2]
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Research source} For the purposes of multiplying two 2-digit numbers together, let $a$ equal the average of the two products, and $b$ equal the difference between each factor and their average. ^{[3]
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Research source}
- For example, $(20+3)(20-3)=20^{{2}}-3^{{2}}$ .
4
Square $a$ and $b$ . Remember that squaring a number means to multiply it by itself. Hopefully these numbers are easy for you to square in your head. If they aren’t, you might need to use another mental math method.
- For example:
  $(20+3)(20-3)=20^{{2}}-3^{{2}}$
  $(20+3)(20-3)=400-9$
5
Calculate the difference between the two squares. The result will be the product of your original two factors. ^{[4]
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Research source}
- For example, $(20+3)(20-3)=391$ . So, $(23)(17)=391$ .

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Distributive Property

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1
Determine which factor is closest to 100. This method works best when one of the factors is very close to 100, particularly when one of the factors is 99. But, this method may work for other factors as well.
- For example, you might be multiplying $12\times 98$ . In this case, 98 is closest to 100.
2
Re-express the factor closest to 100 as $100-x$ . The variable $x$ represents the difference between the factor and 100.
- For example, $98=(100-2)$ .
3
Substitute the re-expressed factor into the original equation. You should think about multiplying $100-x$ by the smaller factor.
- For example, $12\times 98=12(100-2)$ .
4
Multiply using the distributive property. Since the first number in parentheses is 100, it should be easy to find the first factor. Finding the second factor is easier the closest the original number is to 100.
- For example, $12\times 98=12(100-2)=1,200-24$ .
EXPERT TIP

Joseph Meyer
Math Teacher
Joseph Meyer is a High School Math Teacher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is an educator at City Charter High School, where he has been teaching for over 7 years. Joseph is also the founder of Sandbox Math, an online learning community dedicated to helping students succeed in Algebra. His site is set apart by its focus on fostering genuine comprehension through step-by-step understanding (instead of just getting the correct final answer), enabling learners to identify and overcome misunderstandings and confidently take on any test they face. He received his MA in Physics from Case Western Reserve University and his BA in Physics from Baldwin Wallace University.

Joseph Meyer
Math Teacher

The distributive property helps you avoid repetitive calculations. You can use the distributive property to solve equations where you must multiply a number by a sum or difference. It simplifies calculations, enables expression manipulation (like factoring), and forms the basis for solving many equations.
5
Find the difference between the two products. This will give you the product of your original two factors.
- For example, $1,200-24=1,176$ , so $12\times 98=1,176$ .

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Doubling and Halving

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1
Determine whether either factor is even. You will be halving the even number. ^{[5]
X
Research source} Remember that an even number is one that is divisible by 2. If both factors are even, choose the smaller number to halve.
- For example, if you are multiplying $15\times 32$ , you would halve the 32, since it is an even number.
2
Half the even number. To do this, divide by 2. If you know your math facts well, you should be able to do this easily.
- For example, ${\frac {32}{2}}=16$ .
3
Double the other number. To double a number, multiply it by 2.
- For example, $15\times 2=30$ .
4
Consider the new multiplication problem. The new problem is the result of halving one of the factors and doubling the other.
- For example, $15\times 32=30\times 16$ .
5
Continue the process until you arrive at a problem you can compute mentally. Make sure you always halve the same number, and double the same number. The amount of times you halve and double should be same for both factors. ^{[6]
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Research source}
- For example:
  $15\times 32$
  $=30\times 16$
  $=60\times 8$
  $=480$

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Question

How can I teach my child to mentally multiply numbers?

Joseph Meyer
Math Teacher
Joseph Meyer is a High School Math Teacher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is an educator at City Charter High School, where he has been teaching for over 7 years. Joseph is also the founder of Sandbox Math, an online learning community dedicated to helping students succeed in Algebra. His site is set apart by its focus on fostering genuine comprehension through step-by-step understanding (instead of just getting the correct final answer), enabling learners to identify and overcome misunderstandings and confidently take on any test they face. He received his MA in Physics from Case Western Reserve University and his BA in Physics from Baldwin Wallace University.

Joseph Meyer

Math Teacher

Expert Answer

When assisting your children who struggle with mental computation, I suggest guiding them in a way tailored to their understanding. For instance, you can ask them to consider how many groups of 10 are present in a number like 32, emphasizing that there are three groups of 10. This approach involves breaking down the problem by multiplying the tens and ones separately and then adding the results. However, it's crucial to recognize that some children may have diverse mental strategies. Some might efficiently compute 32 times 20 and then separately calculate 32 times 5, employing their own unique thought process. Educators and parents need to identify how children conceptualize and approach numbers, adapting instruction accordingly. Instead of imposing a singular method, the emphasis should be on understanding your child's perspectives and encouraging a variety of approaches that resonate with their individual learning styles.

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How to Multiply Two Digit Numbers Mentally

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Finding the Difference of Two Squares

Using the Distributive Property

Doubling and Halving

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