Learning multiplication tricks for 2 digit numbers can help you solve math problems much faster without using a calculator. Whether you’re a student preparing for exams, a teacher looking for engaging classroom activities, or someone who wants to improve mental math, these simple multiplication shortcuts can save time and increase accuracy.
Instead of memorizing one complicated method, you’ll learn 10 different multiplication tricks for 2 digit numbers, understand when each trick works best, and practice identifying the fastest method yourself.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Multiplication Tricks for 2 Digit Numbers:
| Trick | Best Used When | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Multiply by 11 | Multiplying by 11 | ⭐ |
| Close to 100 | Both numbers are between 90 and 99 | ⭐⭐ |
| Same Tens Digit | Tens digits are same and ones digits add to 10 | ⭐⭐ |
| Difference of Squares | Numbers are equally distant from a middle number | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Numbers Ending in 5 | Squaring numbers ending in 5 | ⭐ |
| Double and Half | One number is even | ⭐⭐ |
| Near Multiples of 10 | One number is close to a multiple of 10 | ⭐⭐ |
| Distributive Property | Works for any multiplication | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| FOIL Method | Expanding two numbers | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cross Multiplication | Universal mental multiplication | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
1. Multiply by 11
This is one of the fastest multiplication tricks.
Steps
- Separate the two digits.
- Add them together.
- Write the sum between the two digits.
- Carry if necessary.
Example
34 × 11
3 + 4 = 7
Answer = 374
Another Example
57 × 11
5 + 7 = 12
Carry 1.
Answer = 627
Works Best For
✅ Any two-digit number multiplied by 11.
Doesn’t Work For
❌ Numbers not multiplied by 11.
2. Multiply Numbers Close to 100
When both numbers are near 100, use their differences from 100.
Example
98 × 94
Difference from 100
98 → -2
94 → -6
Cross subtract
98 − 6 = 92
Multiply differences
2 × 6 = 12
Answer = 9212
Another Example
99 × 97
99 − 3 = 96
1 × 3 = 03
Answer = 9603
Tip: If the product of the differences has only one digit, write a leading zero (for example, 03 instead of 3).
Works Best For
✅ Numbers between 90 and 99.
3. Same Tens Digit Trick
This trick works when:
- Both numbers have the same tens digit.
- Their ones digits add up to 10.
Example
63 × 67
Front
6 × 7 = 42
Back
3 × 7 = 21
Answer = 4221
Another Example
84 × 86
Front
8 × 9 = 72
Back
4 × 6 = 24
Answer = 7224
Works Best For
✅ Numbers like 42×48, 73×77, 84×86.
Doesn’t Work For
❌ If the ones digits do not add up to 10.
4. Difference of Squares
Use this when two numbers are equally far from the same middle number.
Formula
(a+b)(a−b)=a²−b²
Example
61 × 59
Middle = 60
Difference = 1
60² − 1²
3600 − 1
Answer = 3599
Another Example
72 × 68
Middle = 70
Difference = 2
4900 − 4
Answer = 4896
Works Best For
✅ Numbers equally spaced around a midpoint.
5. Squaring Numbers Ending in 5
A classic mental math shortcut.
Steps
Multiply the leading digits by the next whole number.
Write 25 at the end.
Example
45 × 45
4 × 5 = 20
Answer = 2025
Another Example
95 × 95
9 × 10 = 90
Answer = 9025
Works Best For
✅ Squaring numbers ending in 5.
6. Double and Half Method
If one number is even, halve it and double the other.
Example
16 × 75
Half 16 = 8
Double 75 = 150
150 × 8 = 1200
Another Example
24 × 35
Half 24 = 12
Double 35 = 70
70 × 12 = 840
Works Best For
✅ When one number is even.
7. Numbers Close to Multiples of 10
Round to the nearest multiple of 10 and adjust.
Example
39 × 27
40 × 27 = 1080
Subtract 27
Answer = 1053
Another Example
41 × 32
40 × 32 = 1280
Add one extra 32
Answer = 1312
Works Best For
✅ Numbers ending in 9 or 1.
8. Distributive Property
Break one number into tens and ones.
Example
38 × 24
38 × 20 = 760
38 × 4 = 152
Answer = 912
Another Example
47 × 32
47 × 30 = 1410
47 × 2 = 94
Answer = 1504
Works Best For
✅ Any multiplication problem.
9. FOIL Method
Expand both numbers.
Example
26 × 34
(20+6)(30+4)
20×30 = 600
20×4 = 80
6×30 = 180
6×4 = 24
Answer = 884
Another Example
43 × 52
40×50 = 2000
40×2 = 80
3×50 = 150
3×2 = 6
Answer = 2236
Works Best For
✅ Students learning algebra.
10. Cross Multiplication Method
This method works for every two-digit multiplication.
Example
32 × 14
Right
2×4 = 8
Cross
3×4 + 2×1 = 12 + 2 = 14
Write 4, carry 1
Left
3×1 + 1 = 4
Answer = 448
Another Example
27 × 36
Right
7×6 = 42
Write 2, carry 4
Cross
2×6 + 7×3 = 12 + 21 = 33
33 + 4 = 37
Write 7, carry 3
Left
2×3 + 3 = 9
Answer = 972
Works Best For
✅ Any 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to carry while using the ×11 trick.
- Forgetting to write two digits in the “Close to 100” method (write 03, not 3).
- Using the Same Tens Digit trick when the ones digits do not add up to 10.
- Applying the Difference of Squares trick when the numbers are not equally spaced around the midpoint.
Mixed Practice Questions
Without looking back, try to decide which trick is the fastest for each question.
- 24 × 11
- 97 × 94
- 52 × 48
- 75 × 75
- 84 × 86
- 39 × 18
- 48 × 26
- 41 × 39
- 27 × 36
- 98 × 99
- 64 × 66
- 55 × 55
- 34 × 11
- 96 × 92
- 61 × 59
- 47 × 24
- 38 × 11
- 95 × 95
- 63 × 67
- 43 × 52
Answers
- 264
- 9118
- 2496
- 5625
- 7224
- 702
- 1248
- 1599
- 972
- 9702
- 4224
- 3025
- 374
- 8832
- 3599
- 1128
- 418
- 9025
- 4221
- 2236
Try these random quizs and check your scores:
2-Digit Multiplication Practice
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the easiest multiplication tricks for 2 digit numbers?
Multiplying by 11 and squaring numbers ending in 5 are the easiest multiplication tricks for 2 digit numbers for beginners.
Can these tricks replace the standard multiplication method?
No. These are shortcuts for specific situations. The standard multiplication method is still essential because it works for every pair of numbers.
Which trick is fastest during exams?
That depends on the numbers. For example:
- 97 × 96 → Close to 100
- 35 × 35 → Numbers ending in 5
- 42 × 48 → Same Tens Digit
- 38 × 24 → Distributive Property
- 32 × 14 → Cross Multiplication
The fastest students first recognize the pattern, then choose the appropriate trick.
Do mental math tricks improve calculation speed?
Yes. Regular practice with multiplication tricks for 2 digit numbers can significantly improve speed, confidence, and number sense, making them useful for school mathematics, competitive exams, and everyday calculations.
Final Thoughts
The secret to fast multiplication isn’t memorizing dozens of shortcuts—it’s learning to recognize patterns. Before multiplying any two-digit numbers, pause for a second and ask yourself:
- Are the numbers close to 100?
- Do they have the same tens digit?
- Do they end in 5?
- Is one number close to a multiple of 10?
- Would breaking the numbers apart make the calculation easier?
With a little practice, you’ll quickly identify the best method for each problem and solve many calculations mentally in just a few seconds.
Challenge: Go back to the practice section and, before solving each question, write down which trick you think is the fastest. Then compare your approach with the solution. This simple exercise will help you become faster and more confident with mental math.
Related Topics:
Divisibility Tricks (2 to 13): Easy Divisibility Rules with Examples