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The Russian peasant multiplication algorithm: a generalization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 November 2021

Beverly J. Gimmestad
Beverly J. Gimmestad*
Affiliation:
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI49931
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Extract

The Russian Multiplication Algorithm is frequently discussed in history of mathematics courses and in math education courses for elementary and secondary school teachers. Students are intrigued by the algorithm as it allows one to multiply any two whole numbers knowing only the multiplication and division facts for the digit 2.

Unfortunately, most textbooks do not address the natural questions which students ask about the algorithm: “Why are the even numbers crossed out in the left-hand column?” and “Can this be done with numbers other than two?” In a survey of eight textbooks by eight different pubishers, only one textbook answered the first question and none of the textbooks addressed the second question.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Mathematical Gazette , Volume 75 , Issue 472 , June 1991 , pp. 169 - 171
Copyright
Copyright © The Mathematical Association 1991

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