| 19199 | x | 19199 | = | 368601601 | and so on. |
| 960 | 960 | 921600 |
Many adopt the following method:—
£20 x £20 = £400
| ¼d x ¼d = 1⁄16 | less | £ s d | Ans. |
| £400 0 0 | |||
| 1⁄16 | |||
| £399 19 11 15⁄16 |
It would be possible to adopt other methods, each of which would give a different result.
Properly speaking, this sum cannot be done.
Multiplication is merely a contracted form of addition: it means taking a number or quantity a certain number of times. Every multiplication can be proved by addition. All numbers are abstract or concrete—3 is abstract, £3 is concrete.
Two abstract numbers can be multiplied together—as, 4 times 3 = 12.
- Proof: 3
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 12
One abstract number and one concrete number can be multiplied together—as 2s. multiplied by 3 = 6s.