Are you a visual learner? Want to learn a new way to multiply? Check out this amazing method that transforms abstract math into a concrete, visual process!
In Japan, they have a fascinating multiplication method, sometimes referred to as “line multiplication” or “lattice multiplication.” It’s a visual way of multiplying numbers using lines and intersections—a technique that many find both fun and easy to understand.
How it Works
- Draw Lines for the First Number:
- Represent the digits of the first number using diagonal lines.
- For instance, to multiply 12 by 13, draw one set of lines for the “1” (a single line) and another set of lines for the “2” (two parallel lines).
- Draw Lines for the Second Number:
- Do the same for the second number, but in the opposite diagonal direction.
- For “13,” you draw one line for the “1” and three lines for the “3,” crossing over the first set of lines.
- Count Intersections:
- Where the lines intersect, group them into regions: left, center, and right.
- Count the total intersections in each region. These numbers represent the hundreds, tens, and ones places as follows:
- Top left = thousands.
- Center left = hundreds.
- Center right = tens.
- Bottom right = ones.
- Sum the Results:
- Add up the totals from each region, carrying over if needed, to get the final product.
Using this method, you’d find that 12 × 13 = 156.
Advantages
The Japanese line multiplication method offers several benefits, making it a unique and appealing approach to learning and performing multiplication:
- Visual Learning Aid:
- For visual learners, seeing the intersections and regions helps them grasp the concept of multiplication more intuitively.
- Engaging and Fun:
- The method feels more like an art project than traditional math, sparking interest and creativity—especially in children.
- Simplifies Large Numbers:
- Breaking numbers into lines allows complex multiplications to be broken into manageable steps.
- Encourages Pattern Recognition:
- By observing intersections, users develop a deeper understanding of how digits interact when multiplied.
- Global Perspective:
- Introducing this method broadens cultural horizons, showcasing how math can be approached differently around the world.
- Accessible for All Ages:
- It’s a universal technique that can be used by young students learning how to multiply or adults who enjoy visual methods.
Admittedly, when multiplying bigger digits, the diagramming can get unwieldy pretty quickly. But for the right kind of numbers, this line method of multiplying can allow people with very minimal math literacy to find the answers.
The following video will make the process much more clear… watch it and be amazed!
