ABACUS - MULTIPLICATION OF DECIMALS
Before multiplication, the multiplier and the multiplicand should be converted into whole
numbers. For example, 32.76^ × 234.5. Here, the multiplier has two digits in the decimal
part and the multiplicand has only one digit in the decimal part. For converting the multiplier
into a whole number (note that the multiplier has the maximum digits in the decimal part),
multiply the number 32.76^ × 100 which is 3276. Now you have to convert the multiplicand
into a whole number. Multiply it by 10. In such cases, both the multiplier and the
multiplicand need not be multiplied by the same number in decimal multiplication.
Hence, multiply the multiplicand 234.5 by 10 and make it 2345. Now treat the problem
as 3276^ ×^ 2345. Apply the usual procedures for multiplication. You will get the value as
7682220.
Now look at the original decimal values. Your multiplier and the multiplicand together
have 3 places in the decimal part. Leave three numbers of the right and insert the decimal
point to get the required value. The three numbers in the right form the decimal part. In
this problem your value will be 7682.220.
EXERCISE