Multiplication and Division in Base Systems

Figure 4.6 The processes for multiplication and division are the same for arithmetic in any bases. (credit: modification of work “NCTR Intern Claire Boyle” by Danny Tucker/U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Public Domain)

Learning Objectives

After completing this section, you should be able to:

1. Multiply and divide in bases other than 10.
2. Identify errors in multiplying and dividing in bases other than 10.

Just as in Addition and Subtraction in Base Systems, once we decide on a system for counting, we need to establish rules for combining the numbers we’re using. This includes the rules for multiplication and division. We are familiar with those operations in base 10. How do they change if we instead use a different base? A larger base? A smaller one?

In this section, we use multiplication and division in bases other than 10 by referencing the processes of base 10, but applied to a new base system.

Multiplication in Bases Other Than 10

Multiplication is a way of representing repeated additions, regardless of what base is being used. However, different bases have different addition rules. In order to create the multiplication tables for a base other than 10, we need to rely on addition and the addition table for the base. So let’s look at multiplication in base 6.

Multiplication still has the same meaning as it does in base 10, in that 4×64×6 is 4 added to itself six times, 4×6=4+4+4+4+4+44×6=4+4+4+4+4+4.

So, let’s apply that to base 6. It should be clear that 0 multiplied by anything, regardless of base, will give 0, and that 1 multiplied by anything, regardless of base, will be the value of “anything.”

Step 1: So, we start with the table below:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5
0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5
2	0	2	4
3	0	3
4	0	4
5	0	5

Step 2: Notice 2×2=42×2=4 is there. But we didn’t hit a problematic number there (4 works fine in both base 10 and base 6). But what is 2×32×3? If we use the repeated addition concept, 2×3=2+2+2=4+22×3=2+2+2=4+2. According to the base 6 addition table (Table 4.4), 4+2=104+2=10. So, we add that to our table:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5
0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5
2	0	2	4	10
3	0	3	10
4	0	4
5	0	5

Step 3: Next, we need to fill in 2×42×4. Using repeated addition, 2×4=2+2+2+2=10+2=122×4=2+2+2+2=10+2=12 (if we use our base 6 addition rules). So, we add that to our table:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5
0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5
2	0	2	4	10	12
3	0	3	10
4	0	4	12
5	0	5

Step 4: Finally, 2×5=2+2+2+2+2=12+2=142×5=2+2+2+2+2=12+2=14. And so we add that to our table:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5
0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5
2	0	2	4	10	12	14
3	0	3	10
4	0	4	12
5	0	5	14

Step 5: A similar analysis will give us the remainder of the entries. Here is 4×54×5 demonstrated: 4×5=4+4+4+4+4=12+12+4=24+4=324×5=4+4+4+4+4=12+12+4=24+4=32.

This is done by using the addition rules from Addition and Subtraction in Base Systems, namely that 4+4=124+4=12, and then applying the addition processes we’ve always known, but with the base 6 table (Table 4.4). In the end, our multiplication table is as follows:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5
0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5
2	0	2	4	10	12	14
3	0	3	10	13	20	23
4	0	4	12	20	24	32
5	0	5	14	23	32	41

Table 4.8 Base 6 Multiplication Table

Notice anything about that bottom line? Is that similar to what happens in base 10?

To summarize the creation of a multiplication in a base other than base 10, you need the addition table of the base with which you are working. Create the table, and calculate the entries of the multiplication table by performing repeated addition in that base. The table needs to be drawn only the one time.

Example 4.38

Creating a Multiplication Table for a Base Lower Than 10

Create the multiplication table for base 7.

Solution

Step 1: Let’s apply the process demonstrated and outlined above to find the base 7 multiplication table. It should be clear that 0 multiplied by anything, regardless of base, will give 0, and that 1 multiplied by anything, regardless of base, will be the value of “anything.” So, we start with the table below:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
2	0	2	4	6
3	0	3	6
4	0	4
5	0	5
6	0	6

Step 2: Notice 2×2=42×2=4 is there. But we didn’t hit a problematic number there (4 works fine in both base 10 and base 6). The same is true for 2×32×3 and 3×23×2, which equal 6. But what is 2×42×4? If we use the repeated addition concept, 2×4=2+2+2+2=6+22×4=2+2+2+2=6+2. According to the base 7 addition table in the solution for Example 4.29, 6+2=116+2=11. So, we add that to our table:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
2	0	2	4	6	11
3	0	3	6
4	0	4	11
5	0	5
6	0	6

Step 3: Next, we need to fill in 2×52×5. Using repeated addition, 2×5=2+2+2+2+2=11+2=132×5=2+2+2+2+2=11+2=13 if we use our base 7 addition rules. So, we add that to our table:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
2	0	2	4	6	11	13
3	0	3	6
4	0	4	11
5	0	5	13
6	0	6

Step 4: Finally, 2×6=2+2+2+2+2+2+2=13+2=152×6=2+2+2+2+2+2+2=13+2=15. And so we add that to our table:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
2	0	2	4	6	11	13	15
3	0	3	6
4	0	4	11
5	0	5	13
6	0	6	15

Step 5: A similar analysis will give us the remainder of the entries. Here is 47×5747×57 demonstrated:

47×57=47+47+47+47+47=117+117+47=227+47=26747×57=47+47+47+47+47=117+117+47=227+47=267

This is done by using the addition rules from Addition and Subtraction in Base Systems, namely that 47+47=11747+47=117 and then applying the addition processes we’ve always known, but with the base 7 table in the solution for Example 4.29. Using those addition rules, the rest of the table is given below:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
2	0	2	4	6	11	13	15
3	0	3	6	12	15	21	24
4	0	4	11	15	22	26	33
5	0	5	13	21	26	34	42
6	0	6	15	24	33	42	51

Your Turn 4.38

1.

Create the multiplication table for base 4.

Example 4.39

Creating a Multiplication Table for a Base Higher Than 10

Create the multiplication table for base 12.

Solution

Let’s apply the repeated addition to base 12. Here is 712×912712×912 demonstrated:

712×912=712+712+712+712+712+712+712+712+712=1212+1212+1212+1212+712=4812+712=5312712×912=712+712+712+712+712+712+712+712+712=1212+1212+1212+1212+712=4812+712=5312

This is done by using the addition rules from Addition and Subtraction in Base Systems, namely that 712+712=1212712+712=1212 and then applying the addition processes we’ve always known, but with the base 12 table in the solution for Example 4.31. Using those addition rules, the rest of the table is given below:

*	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	A	B
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	A	B
2	0	2	4	6	8	A	10	12	14	16	18	1A
3	0	3	6	9	10	13	16	19	20	23	26	29
4	0	4	8	10	14	18	20	24	28	30	34	38
5	0	5	A	13	18	21	26	2B	34	39	42	47
6	0	6	10	16	20	26	30	36	40	46	50	56
7	0	7	12	19	24	2B	36	41	48	53	5A	65
8	0	8	14	20	28	34	40	48	54	60	68	74
9	0	9	16	23	30	39	46	53	60	69	76	83
A	0	A	18	26	34	42	50	5A	68	76	84	92
B	0	B	1A	29	38	47	56	65	74	83	92	A1

Table 4.9 Base 12 Multiplication Table

Your Turn 4.39

1.

Create the multiplication table for base 14.

The multiplication table in base 2 below is as minimal as the addition table in the solution for Table 4.6. Since the product of 1 with anything is itself, the following multiplication table is found.

*	0	1
0	0	0
1	0	1

Table 4.10 Base 2 Multiplication Table

As with the addition table, we can use the multiplication tables and the addition tables to perform multiplication of two numbers in bases other than base 10. The process is the same, with the same carry rules and placeholder rules.

Example 4.40

Multiplying in a Base Lower Than 10

1. Calculate 456×246456×246.
2. Calculate 1012×11021012×1102.

Solution

1. Step 1: Use the base 6 multiplication table (Table 4.8) and, when necessary, the base 6 addition table (Table 4.4).Set up this calculation using columns:45×24Step 2: Multiply the 1s digits, 5 and 4, using the base 6 multiplication table (Table 4.8). There we see the result is 32₆. So, we enter the 2 and carry the 3.345×242Step 3: So, now we multiply the 4 and the 4, then add the 3 (just as you would do if multiplying two base 10 numbers!). 46×46=24646×46=246 (from the base 6 table [Table 4.8]), then 246+36=316246+36=316. So, we enter the 31.345×24312Step 4: Now we move on to the 2 in the “tens” place in the bottom value. We multiply the 2₆ and the 5₆, and we get 14₆. So, we enter the 4 and carry the 1.Step 5: Next up, we multiply the 2 and the 4, and then add 1. This gives us 126+16=136126+16=136. We enter those on that second line.145×243121340Step 6: Now we add down the columns.145×24131213402052Step 7: The 3 and the 3 add to 10 in base 6, so we enter the 0 and carry the 1. We now have the result:456×246=20526456×246=20526.
2. Step 1: Use the base 2 multiplication table (Table 4.10) and, when necessary, the base 2 addition table in the solution for Example 4.29. Set up this calculation using columns:101×110Step 2: Using the pattern established above, and the processes from multiplication from base 10, we find the following:101×110000101101Step 3: Adding down the columns results in the following:101x11000010110111110So, 1012×1102=1111021012×1102=111102.

Your Turn 4.40

1.

Calculate 436×526436×526.

2.

Calculate 111012×112111012×112.

Summarizing the process of multiplying two numbers in different bases, the multiplication table is referenced. Using that table, the multiplication is carried out in the same manner as it is in base 10. The addition rules for the base will also be referenced when carrying a 1 or when adding the results for each digit’s multiplication line.

Example 4.41

Multiplying in a Base Higher Than 10

Calculate 3A12×74123A12×7412.

Solution

Step 1: Use the base 12 multiplication table in the solution for Example 4.39 and, when necessary, the base 12 addition table in the solution for Table 4.7. Set up this calculation using columns:

	3	A
×	7	4

Step 2: First, the 4 is multiplied by 3A, resulting in the first line.

	3	A
×	7	4
1	3	4

Step 3: Now we move on to the 7 in the “tens” place in the bottom value.

		5
		3	A
	x	7	4
	1	3	4
2	2	A	0

Step 4: Now we add down the columns.

		3	A
	x	7	4
	1	3	4
2	2	A	0
2	4	1	4

Step 5: The 3 and the A add to 11 in base 12, so we enter the 1 and carry the 1.

We now have the result: 3A12×7412=2414123A12×7412=241412.

Your Turn 4.41

1.

Calculate B312×4712B312×4712 .

Division in Bases Other Than 10

Just as with the other operations, division in a base other than 10, the process of division in a base other than 10 is the same as the process when working in base 10. For instance, 72÷9=872÷9=8 because, we know that 9×8=729×8=72. So, for many division problems, we are simply looking to the multiplication table to identify the appropriate multiplication rule.

Example 4.42

Dividing with a Base Other Than 10

1. Calculate 146÷56146÷56.
2. Calculate 5A12÷7125A12÷712

Solution

1. Looking at the multiplication table for base 6 (Table 4.8), we see that 56×26=14656×26=146. Using that, we know that 146÷56=26146÷56=26.
2. Looking at the multiplication table for base 12 in the solution for Example 4.39, we see that 712×A12=5A12712×A12=5A12. Using that, we know that 5A12÷712=A125A12÷712=A12.

Your Turn 4.42

1.

Calculate 106÷36106÷36

2.

Calculate 5012÷A125012÷A12.

Errors in Multiplying and Dividing in Bases Other Than Base 10

The types of errors encountered when multiplying and dividing in bases other than base 10 are the same as when adding and subtracting. They often involve applying base 10 rules or symbols to an arithmetic problem in a base other than base 10. The first type of error is using a symbol that is not in the symbol set for the base.

Example 4.43

Identifying an Illegal Symbol in a Base Other Than Base 10

Explain the error in the following calculation, and determine the correct answer:

46×26=8646×26=86

Solution

Since the problem is in base 6, the symbol set available is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The 8 in the answer is clearly not a legal symbol for base 6. Looking back to the base 6 multiplication table (Table 4.8), we see that 46×26=12646×26=126.

Your Turn 4.43

1.

Explain the error in the following calculation and determine the correct answer: 134×214=544134×214=544

The second type of error is using a base 10 rule when the numbers are not in base 10. For instance, in base 17, 617×917=5417617×917=5417 would be incorrect, even though in base 10, 6×9=546×9=54. That rule doesn’t apply in base 17.

Example 4.44

Identifying an Error in Arithmetic in a Base Other Than Base 10

Explain the error in the following calculation. Determine the correct answer:

1812×712=126121812×712=12612

Solution

If this problem was a base 10 problem, this would be the correct answer. However, in base 12, 812×712812×712 is not 56, but is instead 48. To correct this error, carefully use the multiplication table for base 12 (Table 4.9). If properly used, the correct answer would be 1812×712=B8121812×712=B812.

Your Turn 4.44

1.

Explain the error in the following calculation. Determine the correct answer: 4914×914=44114