Fast Multiplication Tricks for Students to Calculate Quickly in Exams

Fast calculation can make a huge difference in exams, especially when students are solving Maths, Physics, or Chemistry questions under time pressure. Many students know the concept behind a problem, but they still lose marks because calculations take too long or careless multiplication mistakes appear in the final steps. That is why multiplication shortcuts are so useful.

These tricks are not meant to replace understanding. They are meant to improve speed, reduce repeated effort, and help students feel more confident while solving questions in the exam hall. When used correctly, fast multiplication tricks can save valuable time and improve accuracy.

At Deeksha Vedantu, we always encourage students to combine concept clarity with calculation speed. If your basics are strong and your mental maths improves, your overall exam performance becomes much smoother.

Why Fast Multiplication Tricks Matter in Exams

Students often spend too much time on calculations that can be handled in a shorter way.

Benefits of Learning Multiplication Shortcuts

These tricks are especially helpful in subjects where calculations appear again and again.

Quick Overview of the Most Useful Multiplication Tricks

This table gives students a quick summary before they study each trick in detail.

Trick Summary Table

Trick 1: Multiply Any Two-Digit Number by 11

This is one of the easiest and most useful multiplication tricks.

How the Trick Works

If a two-digit number is written as ab, then:

• keep the first digit
• add the two digits
• keep the second digit

Example 1

52 × 11

Step 1

Write the number in the pattern:

5 _ 2

Step 2

Add the two digits:

5 + 2 = 7

Step 3

Place 7 in the middle.

Answer

52 × 11 = 572

Example 2

35 × 11

Step 1

Write the number in the pattern:

3 _ 5

Step 2

Add the digits:

3 + 5 = 8

Step 3

Place 8 in the middle.

Answer

35 × 11 = 385

Carry Case in the ×11 Trick

Sometimes the middle sum becomes 10 or more. In that case, students must carry properly.

Carry Rule Table

Example 1

65 × 11

Step 1

Add the digits:

6 + 5 = 11

Step 2

Write 11 in the middle and carry 1 to 6.

Answer

65 × 11 = 715

Example 2

89 × 11

Step 1

Add the digits:

8 + 9 = 17

Step 2

Write 17 in the middle and carry 1 to 8.

Answer

89 × 11 = 979

Example 3

99 × 11

Step 1

Add the digits:

9 + 9 = 18

Step 2

Carry carefully across the digits.

Answer

99 × 11 = 1089

Trick 2: Multiply Numbers Close to 100

This trick is very useful for multiplying numbers in the 90s.

How the Trick Works

If both numbers are close to 100:

• write how much each number is below 100
• subtract crosswise
• multiply the shortfall numbers
• write the final answer carefully with two digits at the end

Example 1

98 × 97

Step 1

Find how far each number is from 100:

• 98 is 2 less than 100
• 97 is 3 less than 100

Step 2

Cross subtract:

98 – 3 = 95

or

97 – 2 = 95

Step 3

Multiply the shortfalls:

2 × 3 = 6

Write it as 06 because the last part should contain two digits.

Answer

98 × 97 = 9506

Example 2

95 × 94

Step 1

Find the shortfalls:

• 95 is 5 less than 100
• 94 is 6 less than 100

Step 2

Cross subtract:

95 – 6 = 89

Step 3

Multiply the shortfalls:

5 × 6 = 30

Answer

95 × 94 = 8930

Example 3

93 × 96

Step 1

Find the shortfalls:

• 93 is 7 less than 100
• 96 is 4 less than 100

Step 2

Cross subtract:

93 – 4 = 89

Step 3

Multiply the shortfalls:

7 × 4 = 28

Answer

93 × 96 = 8928

Trick 3: Square of Numbers Just Above 100

This is a very useful shortcut for numbers like 101, 102, 104, 107, and similar values.

How the Trick Works

If the number is 100 + n, then:

• add n to the original number
• square n
• place the squared value as the last two digits when needed

Example 1

104²

Step 1

The extra part above 100 is 4.

Step 2

Add 4 to 104:

104 + 4 = 108

Step 3

Square the extra part:

4² = 16

Answer

104² = 10816

Example 2

107²

Step 1

The extra part above 100 is 7.

Step 2

Add 7 to 107:

107 + 7 = 114

Step 3

Square the extra part:

7² = 49

Answer

107² = 11449

Trick 4: Square of Numbers Ending in 5

This is one of the most famous and easiest mental maths tricks.

How the Trick Works

If a number ends in 5:

• take the part before 5
• multiply it by its next number
• write 25 at the end

Quick Rule Table

Example 1

25²

Step 1

The number before 5 is 2.

Step 2

Multiply 2 by the next number 3:

2 × 3 = 6

Step 3

Write 25 at the end.

Answer

25² = 625

Example 2

45²

Step 1

The number before 5 is 4.

Step 2

Multiply 4 by 5:

4 × 5 = 20

Step 3

Write 25 at the end.

Answer

45² = 2025

Example 3

35²

Step 1

The number before 5 is 3.

Step 2

Multiply 3 by 4:

3 × 4 = 12

Step 3

Write 25 at the end.

Answer

35² = 1225

Example 4

105²

Step 1

The number before 5 is 10.

Step 2

Multiply 10 by 11:

10 × 11 = 110

Step 3

Write 25 at the end.

Answer

105² = 11025

Trick 5: Quick Multiplication by 5

This trick is extremely useful because multiplying by 5 appears often in calculations.

How the Trick Works

To multiply any number by 5:

• divide the number by 2
• multiply the result by 10

In shortcut form, that usually means:

• divide by 2
• attach one zero

Example 1

68 × 5

Step 1

Divide 68 by 2:

68 ÷ 2 = 34

Step 2

Add one zero.

Answer

68 × 5 = 340

Example 2

74 × 5

Step 1

Divide 74 by 2:

74 ÷ 2 = 37

Step 2

Add one zero.

Answer

74 × 5 = 370

What About Odd Numbers in the ×5 Trick

For odd numbers, dividing by 2 gives a decimal. In that case, remove the decimal after multiplying by 10.

Example 3

65 × 5

Step 1

Divide 65 by 2:

65 ÷ 2 = 32.5

Step 2

Multiply by 10:

32.5 × 10 = 325

Answer

65 × 5 = 325

Example 4

48 × 5

Step 1

Divide 48 by 2:

48 ÷ 2 = 24

Step 2

Add one zero.

Answer

48 × 5 = 240

Trick 6: Break-the-Number Method

This is also called the distributive shortcut. It works well when one of the numbers is close to a round number such as 10, 20, 50, or 100.

How the Trick Works

Break one number into an easier form, then distribute.

Best Situations to Use It

Example 1

18 × 47

Step 1

Break 47 as 50 – 3.

Step 2

Apply distribution:

18 × 47 = 18 × (50 – 3)

Step 3

Multiply separately:

= 18 × 50 – 18 × 3

= 900 – 54

Answer

18 × 47 = 846

Example 2

65 × 19

Step 1

Break 19 as 20 – 1.

Step 2

Apply distribution:

65 × 19 = 65 × (20 – 1)

Step 3

Multiply separately:

= 65 × 20 – 65 × 1

= 1300 – 65

Answer

65 × 19 = 1235

Trick 7: Quick Multiplication by 25

This trick is very useful because multiplying by 25 is the same as dividing by 4 and then multiplying by 100.

How the Trick Works

To multiply a number by 25:

• divide the number by 4
• add two zeros

Example 1

72 × 25

Step 1

Divide 72 by 4:

72 ÷ 4 = 18

Step 2

Add two zeros.

Answer

72 × 25 = 1800

Example 2

84 × 25

Step 1

Divide 84 by 4:

84 ÷ 4 = 21

Step 2

Add two zeros.

Answer

84 × 25 = 2100

Example 3

76 × 25

Step 1

Divide 76 by 4:

76 ÷ 4 = 19

Step 2

Add two zeros.

Answer

76 × 25 = 1900

What If the Number Is Not Fully Divisible by 4

Students can still use the same idea.

Example

78 × 25

Step 1

Divide 78 by 4:

78 ÷ 4 = 19.5

Step 2

Multiply by 100:

19.5 × 100 = 1950

Answer

78 × 25 = 1950

Bonus Mini Trick: Multiply 9 by a Single-Digit Number

A simple mental pattern can also help in small cases.

Example

9 × 5 = 45

This is basic multiplication, but students should memorise all 9 times table values for instant calculation in exams.

Which Tricks Are Most Useful in Board Exams

Different tricks help in different question types.

Most Useful During Exams

These appear often in simplification, mensuration, algebra, and numerical questions.

How to Use These Tricks Safely in Exams

Shortcuts are useful only when applied carefully.

Best Practice Rules

Common Mistakes Students Make While Using Tricks

These mistakes are common and easy to avoid with practice.

Mistake 1: Forgetting Carry in the ×11 Trick

For numbers like 65 × 11, students sometimes write the middle digits incorrectly instead of carrying them properly.

Mistake 2: Forgetting Leading Zero in Numbers Close to 100

For 98 × 97, the last part should be written as 06, not just 6.

Mistake 3: Mixing Up the Rule for Multiplying by 5 and 25

For ×5, divide by 2 and add one zero.

For ×25, divide by 4 and add two zeros.

Mistake 4: Using the Wrong Number in the Square-Ending-in-5 Trick

Students must multiply the number before 5 by its next number, not by itself.

Mistake 5: Choosing the Wrong Number to Break

In the break-the-number method, students should choose the number that is closer to a round value.

Common Mistakes Table

How Students Can Practise These Tricks Daily

Mental maths improves only through repeated use.

Simple Daily Practice Plan

This short routine can improve calculation speed quickly.

Fast Revision Summary

This section is useful before exams.

Trick Recap Table

Practice Questions for Students

Important Practice Questions

• 43 × 11
• 76 × 11
• 99 × 98
• 96 × 94
• 103²
• 115²
• 86 × 5
• 92 × 25
• 23 × 49 using the break-the-number method
• 67 × 19 using the break-the-number method

FAQs

Q1. Why should students learn fast multiplication tricks?

Fast multiplication tricks help students save time, reduce rough work, and improve calculation speed during exams.

Q2. Are these tricks useful only for Maths exams?

No. These tricks are also useful in Physics, Chemistry, and any subject where calculations are required.

Q3. How do I multiply a two-digit number by 11 quickly?

Write the two digits, add them, and place the sum in the middle. If the middle sum is two digits, carry properly.

Q4. How do I quickly square numbers ending in 5?

Multiply the number before 5 by its next number and write 25 at the end.

Q5. How do I multiply a number by 5 quickly?

Divide the number by 2 and then multiply by 10, which is usually the same as adding one zero after halving.

Q6. How do I multiply a number by 25 quickly?

Divide the number by 4 and then multiply by 100, which usually means adding two zeros.

Q7. What is the easiest trick for numbers close to 100?

Find how much each number is below 100, subtract crosswise, then multiply the shortfalls.

Q8. Should I use shortcuts for every multiplication in the exam?

No. Use shortcuts only when you remember them clearly and they actually make the calculation faster for you.

Conclusion

Fast multiplication tricks can genuinely help students calculate more quickly and confidently in exams. They are especially useful when time is limited and repeated calculations appear across different subjects. The main goal of these tricks is not to impress anyone with speed. The real goal is to reduce effort, improve accuracy, and help students focus more on solving the question itself.

The best way to master these tricks is to practise them regularly before exams so that they become natural. At Deeksha Vedantu, we always encourage students to build both conceptual strength and calculation speed, because together they create strong exam performance.