Chapter 10 Math 269
asterisk (10 * 10 = 100) or parentheses (10)(10) = 100. The numbers to be
multiplied are called the multiplicand (the fi rst number) and the multiplier
(the second number). The answer to a multiplication problem is called the
product.
87 ← multiplicand
× 15 ← multiplier
1305 ← product
You will encounter many situations that require the use of multiplica-
tion throughout your healthcare career. The following is an example of one
such situation.
Joy is working out the budget for the healthcare facility where
she is employed. As part of her budgeting, Joy needs to know
how much 12 boxes of latex gloves cost. Joy researches the
price for one package and fi nds it costs $10.35. Joy could deter-
mine the cost of 12 boxes of gloves by adding $10.35 together
twelve times, but that is time-consuming. Instead, Joy can fi nd
the answer using multiplication. The equation Joy must solve is:
$10.35 × 12 = ?
To solve such a problem, you might want to memorize some basic mul-
tiplication problems. Using a multiplication table is the best way to prac-
tice this skill (Figure 10.2). Knowing your multiplication tables allows you
to calculate numbers quickly and without error.
To answer the problem above using a multiplication table, you would
multiply each digit separately to create partial answers. Then add the par-
tial answers to fi nd the fi nal answer. Note that alignment of the numbers
is very important!
$10.35
× 12
First, multiply the ones digit of the multiplier (2) with each digit in the
multiplicand. Because 2 × 5 = 10, you should place a 0 beneath the 5 and 2,
and carry the 1 to the tens column, so it appears above the 3. Now, when
you multiply 2 × 3, add 1 to the answer (2 × 3 = 6; 6 + 1 = 7). Place a 7 beneath
the 3 and 1, and move on to the next digits. The fi rst partial answer is 2,070.
1
$10.35
× 12
2070
Next, multiply the tens digits. Since you have already multiplied the ones
column, place a 0 or X beneath the 0 in the ones column. Multiply 1 with