What is Multiplying by 10?

S1-SA1-0110

Grade Level:

Class 2

Maths, Computing, Place Value

Definition

What is it?

Multiplying a number by 10 means adding a zero to the end of that number. It makes the number ten times bigger. This is because each digit shifts one place to the left in its place value.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have 3 cricket balls. If you multiply this by 10, it means you now have 3 sets of 10 cricket balls. So, you end up with 30 cricket balls. We just added a zero to the 3!

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's multiply the number 7 by 10.

Step 1: Start with the number 7.

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Step 2: Remember that multiplying by 10 means we are making the number ten times larger.

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Step 3: The easiest way to do this is to add a zero to the right side of the number.

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Step 4: So, take 7 and add '0' at its end.

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Step 5: This gives us 70.

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Answer: 7 x 10 = 70

Why It Matters

Understanding multiplication by 10 is super important for quickly calculating bigger numbers. It's a basic skill for careers in finance, like managing money in a bank, or in data science, where you often work with large sets of numbers. Even for shopkeepers, it helps with quick billing!

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Adding 10 to the number instead of multiplying by 10 (e.g., 5 x 10 = 15) | CORRECTION: Remember that multiplying by 10 means making the number ten times bigger, not just adding ten to it. Add a zero to the end of the original number.

MISTAKE: Confusing multiplying by 10 with multiplying by 1 (e.g., 8 x 10 = 8) | CORRECTION: Multiplying by 10 always changes the number by adding a zero. Multiplying by 1 keeps the number the same.

MISTAKE: Adding the zero to the front of the number (e.g., 5 x 10 = 05) | CORRECTION: The zero must always be added to the right (end) of the number to increase its place value correctly. 05 is still 5, but 50 is fifty.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: A box has 6 laddoos. If you have 10 such boxes, how many laddoos do you have in total? | ANSWER: 60 laddoos

QUESTION: My auto-rickshaw driver charges Rs 9 per kilometer. How much will he charge for a 10-kilometer ride? | ANSWER: Rs 90

QUESTION: A class has 4 benches, and each bench can seat 10 students. If there are 3 such classes, how many students can sit in total? (First find students per class, then for 3 classes) | ANSWER: 120 students (4 benches x 10 students/bench = 40 students per class. 40 students/class x 3 classes = 120 students)

MCQ

Quick Quiz

What is 15 multiplied by 10?

150

1510

105

The Correct Answer Is:

When you multiply 15 by 10, you simply add a zero to the end of 15, which makes it 150. Options B, C, and D do not follow this rule.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you buy 10 packets of chips, and each packet costs Rs 20, the shopkeeper quickly calculates 20 x 10 = Rs 200. Or, if you are a programmer writing code for a game, you might need to multiply a character's score by 10 for a bonus level.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

MULTIPLY: To combine equal groups, often shown by 'x' | PLACE VALUE: The value of a digit based on its position in a number | ZERO: The number representing nothing, often used as a placeholder | DIGIT: Any of the symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding multiplication by 10! Now you're ready to learn about multiplying by 100 and 1000. These concepts build directly on what you've learned here, making even bigger calculations simple and fast!