Multiplying Numbers Near 100

For numbers close to 100 we can utilize this method to quickly calculate the product. 

We will write our example problem vertically and solve our answer working left to right :

   96  

 * 94  

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Step 1) Subtract each number from 100 and write the difference to the right of the number

            1A) 100 – 96 = 4

            1B) 100 – 94 = 6

    96    4

 *  94    6

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Step 2) Subtract the top number in the example (96) by the result of 1B (6).

96 - 6 = 90

Note you can also do the reverse, subtracting the bottom number in the example (94) by the result in 1A (4) such that 94 - 4 = 90  

The difference represents the two far left digits in the answer

                       96    4

                    *  94    6

                   ----------

Answer:       9 0  _  _

Step 3) Multiply the results of Steps 1A (4) and 1B (6)

4 * 6 = 24

The product represents the two far right digits in the answer

                       96    4

                    *  94    6

                   ----------

Answer:       9 0 2 4