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are solved using cross-multiplication, since the missing b term is implicitly equal to 1: =. Any equation containing fractions or rational expressions can be simplified by multiplying both sides by the least common denominator. This step is called clearing fractions.
First multiply the quarters by 47, the result 94 is written into the first workspace. Next, multiply cwt 12*47 = (2 + 10)*47 but don't add up the partial results (94, 470) yet. Likewise multiply 23 by 47 yielding (141, 940). The quarters column is totaled and the result placed in the second workspace (a trivial move in this case).
This is the "grid" or "boxes" structure which gives the multiplication method its name. Faced with a slightly larger multiplication, such as 34 × 13, pupils may initially be encouraged to also break this into tens. So, expanding 34 as 10 + 10 + 10 + 4 and 13 as 10 + 3, the product 34 × 13 might be represented:
The FOIL method is a special case of a more general method for multiplying algebraic expressions using the distributive law. The word FOIL was originally intended solely as a mnemonic for high-school students learning algebra. The term appears in William Betz's 1929 text Algebra for Today, where he states: [2]
Four bags with three marbles per bag gives twelve marbles (4 × 3 = 12). Multiplication can also be thought of as scaling. Here, 2 is being multiplied by 3 using scaling, giving 6 as a result. Animation for the multiplication 2 × 3 = 6 4 × 5 = 20. The large rectangle is made up of 20 squares, each 1 unit by 1 unit.
If geometric algebra is used the cross product b × c of vectors is expressed as their exterior product b∧c, a bivector. The second cross product cannot be expressed as an exterior product, otherwise the scalar triple product would result. Instead a left contraction [6] can be used, so the formula becomes [7]
[2] [3] The result of the addition of a and b is called the sum of a and b, and is denoted a + b. Similarly, the result of the multiplication of a and b is called the product of a and b, and is denoted a ⋅ b. These operations are required to satisfy the following properties, referred to as field axioms.
This appendix has been attributed to William Oughtred, [3] who used the same symbol in his 1631 algebra text, Clavis Mathematicae, stating: Multiplication of species [i.e. unknowns] connects both proposed magnitudes with the symbol 'in' or × : or ordinarily without the symbol if the magnitudes be denoted with one letter.