Module – 8
ABACUS - MULTIPLICATION
I. GENERAL RULES :
a) The finger and hand positions are to be followed as in the case of addition and
subtraction.
b) In abacus multiplication, if you get the multiplied values as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8 and 9 after multiplication of two digits, they should be treated as 01, 02, 03,
04, 05, 06, 07, 08 and 09 respectively. This is very essential for having correct
column placement in the abacus. Example : 3 x 2 = 6. This should be treated as
06.
c) In 67 x 78, 67 is the number by which the multiplication is done and is called
the multiplier. 78 the number which is multiplied, is the multiplicand.
d) The multiplier is always set in the extreme left.
e) For setting the multiplicand in the right side of the abacus, count the number of
digits of the multiplier; add that number with the number of digits of the
multiplicand and ADD ONE MORE COLUMN for abacus multiplication. For example,
in 45 x 225 the multiplier is a two digit number, the multiplicand is a 3 digit
number and they have a total of five digits put together; add one more column
to this. It will become six. The multiplicand should be set from the last but
sixth column in the right side of the abacus.
f) Multiplication is a rapid form of addition.
g) The multiplier and the multiplicand together are called FACTORS.