Q&A for How to Multiply Using the Russian Peasant Method

This method works with decimals. Multiply and divide by 2 as you would with any other numbers.

The usual rules for multiplying with negative numbers apply here.

You'd get the right answer whichever way you order the factors. It generally goes a little quicker if you double the larger factor and halve the smaller one (opposite of the article example), but other than efficiency concerns it doesn't matter.

If the number in the left hand column is odd, round down when dividing by two. For example, 173 divided by 2 is 86.5, so write 86.