How to Multiply Two-Digit Numbers in One Pass

Updated 4 October 2026

Multiply 2-digit numbers in one pass — left to right.

23 × 12 = 276

How do you multiply two two-digit numbers in one pass?

To multiply two two-digit numbers in one pass, work out three columns from the right. For 23 × 12, the units column is 3 × 2 = 6. The tens column is the two cross products, 2 × 2 + 3 × 1 = 7. The hundreds column is 2 × 1 = 2, giving 276. It works because 23 × 12 is (20 + 3) × (10 + 2), and the four pieces fall into three places: tens times tens make hundreds, units times units make units, and the two cross products make tens. When a column passes nine, keep its units digit and carry the rest. For 47 × 36, the units are 7 × 6 = 42, so write 2 and carry 4. The tens are 4 × 6 + 7 × 3 = 45, and 45 + 4 = 49, so write 9 and carry 4. The hundreds are 4 × 3 = 12, and 12 + 4 = 16, giving 1692.

1. The long way is two rows. The shortcut reads the three columns.

2. Hundreds from the left pair, units from the right — and the tens are the CROSS.

3. Read it off left to right: 276. When a part spills past nine, carry it.

4. Work 24 × 13 from the units: write the last digit of each column and carry the rest.

All 36 shortcuts: the Magic Tricks library.