Chinese Multiplication Method | Overview & Examples

The Hidden Pattern Behind Multiplication Tricks Most two-digit multiplication “tricks” aren’t really tricks at all—they’re binomial expansions in disguise. Take 97 × 94. Both are just under 100, so rewrite them as (100 – 3)(100 – 6). Expand with the box method: 10,000 – 600 – 300 18 = 9,118. See how it works? The “91” comes from subtracting 900 from 10,000. The “18” comes from multiplying the distances from 100. That’s the shortcut—but the deeper idea is that binomial expansions are everywhere,