Module – 9
ABACUS - MULTIPLICATION OF
TWO DIGIT NUMBERSExample : 38 5 29
a) Set the multiplier 38 in the extreme left.
b) Count the digits of the two numbers (multiplier and multiplicand) and add one for the
abacus. Totally, we have 5 digits. Therefore, set the multiplicand 29 in the last but
5 th column in the right side of the abacus.
c) Keep the right hand on 9 of the 29, the left hand on 3 of the 38 and multiply.
3 5 9 = 27.
d) Set the number 27 in the immediate right of the multiplicand. Now multiply 9 of the
multiplicand and 8 of the multiplier. The value is 9 5 8 = 72. Please note that this
number should be added with where you have left in the multiplication of the previous
digit 3 of the multiplicand.
e) Set the number 7 of the 72 in the tens column. You have already number 7 in the tens
column. Therefore, there is no 7 to add in that tens column. Therefore, set one more
bead in the hundreds column and subtract 3 from the tens column. Set the number 2
of 72 in the units column. Since the first step is over, clear the number 9 of the 29.
f) Multiply the number 2 of the multiplicand with the multiplier 38, i.e., 2 5 3 is 6.
Treat this as 06. Skip one column for zero and set the number 6 in the hundreds
column.