Line multiplication is sometimes called stick multiplication, and its origins are unclear, with some claiming it comes from the Japanese, Chinese, or Vedic cultures.The process is the same, except it is represented in a more visual way.The method of using the intersection of lines or sticks might be helpful for those who are more visually oriented.
Step 1: Put the place values of your first number together.
You need to know how many places are in your number.The first number, 34 has a 4 and a 3 in the ones place, if you divide it by 34.
Step 2: To represent the tens place of your first number, draw parallel lines.
The digits correspond to the number of lines you draw.The lines should be drawn at a 45 degree angle.If you are representing 34 you would draw 3 parallel lines.
Step 3: To represent your first number, draw parallel lines.
The number of lines will correspond to the digit.To the right of the tens lines, draw these lines above.You can tell them apart by leaving some space between the ones lines and the tens lines.If you are representing 34 you will draw 4 parallel lines.
Step 4: Determine the place values of your second number.
You need to know how many places are in your number.If your second number is 12 you can determine if you have a 2 or a 1 in the ones place.
Step 5: If you want to represent the tens place of your second number, draw parallel lines.
The number of lines will correspond to the digit.The lines should be drawn near the top of the diagram.They should cross the lines of the first number in the opposite direction.It would be helpful to draw each number in a different color.If you are representing the number 12 you would draw a parallel line over the lines from the first number.
Step 6: You can draw parallel lines to represent your second number.
The number of lines will correspond to the digit.The lines should be drawn below the ones lines so that they cross over all the lines of the first number.You can tell them apart by leaving some space between the ones lines and the tens lines.If you are representing 12 you will draw 2 parallel lines below the first line you drew.
Step 7: The lines intersect where the dots are drawn.
If you use the line multiplication method, you will be adding up the lines instead of doing the actual multiplication.
Step 8: The dots represent the place.
There are dots at the intersection where the lines intersect.You would circle the dots formed where the 4 lines intersect with the 2 lines, which are in the set on the right side of the diagram.
Step 9: The dots represent the tens place.
The dots are formed when the digits of the two numbers intersect.You would circle the dots formed where the 1 line intersects with the 4 lines and the 2 lines intersect the 3 lines.
Step 10: The dots represent the hundreds place.
There are dots at the intersection where the lines intersect.You would circle the dots formed where the 3 lines intersect with the 1 line, which is on the left side of the diagram.
Step 11: There are dots in the place.
The dots are on the right side of the diagram.The one place you will find this number is your answer.You should count 8 dots for 3412displaystyle.The digit will be in the place of your final answer.
Step 12: Take the dots and put them in the tens place.
There are two sets of dots in the diagram.The answer will be in the tens of this number.You should count 10 dots for 3412displaystyle.When a digit in a place value reaches 10, you need to carry.If you were to count 10 for the tens place, you would place a 0displaystyle 0 and carry the 1 over to the hundreds place.
Step 13: The dots are in the hundreds.
You circled the dots on the left side of the diagram.This is the place of your answer.You should count 3 dots for 3412displaystyle.You should add the amount you carried over.You carried over a 1 from the tens place for 3412displaystyle.Your final answer will be the digit in the hundreds.
Step 14: Determine the answer.
Put the digits you found together.For example, for 3412displaystyle 34 times 12, you determine an 8 displaystyle 8 that goes in the ones place.Your final answer is 408.