No. LXV.—MULTIPLICATION NO VEXATION
This diagram shows an ancient and curious method of multiplication, which will be novel to most of our readers.
In this instance 534 is multiplied by 342. Draw a square of nine cells with diagonals, fill the three top cells, as is shown, by multiplying the 5 by the 3, the 4 and the 2. Then multiply in similar way the 3 and the 4 by these same figures. Turn the square round so that the diagonals are upright, and add. Of course, placing the numbers thus is the same practically as carrying them by our ordinary rule.