Russian Multiplication
Also called "Ethiopian multiplication." To multiply two numbers and
, write
and
in two columns. Under
, write
, where
is the floor function,
and under
,
write
.
Continue until
.
Then cross out any entries in the
column which are opposite an even
number in the
column and add the
column. The result is the desired product. For example, for
Russian multiplication works because it implements binary multiplication:
1. If ,
accumulate
.
2. Right-shift
one bit.
3. If ,
exit.
4. Left-shift
one bit.
5. Loop.
See also
Binary, MultiplicationPortions of this entry contributed by Dave Zobel
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References
Wells, D. The Penguin Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Numbers. Middlesex, England: Penguin Books, p. 44, 1986.Referenced on Wolfram|Alpha
Russian MultiplicationCite this as:
Weisstein, Eric W. and Zobel, Dave. "Russian Multiplication." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/RussianMultiplication.html