Ancient Egyptian multiplication

Quick answer

Ancient Egyptians multiplied numbers by doubling and adding, using a method based on powers of two. They didn’t use multiplication tables like we do today – instead, they broke numbers into parts and added up the results.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how Ancient Egyptians multiplied numbers using doubling and adding, and you will be able to try this method yourself with simple numbers.

• You can explain how doubling and adding can help with multiplication
• You can use a doubling chart to find the answer to a multiplication problem
• You can work out 3 x 6 using the Egyptian method
• You can create your own Egyptian multiplication problem and solve it

Why this matters

Multiplication is everywhere – in sports, cooking, shopping, and games. The Ancient Egyptian method helps you understand how multiplication works, even without knowing times tables. It's a clever way to solve problems that shows how maths has changed over thousands of years.

How it works

Here’s how the Ancient Egyptians did multiplication:

1. They wrote down the number you want to multiply by 1 and 2.
2. They kept doubling the numbers until they had a number close to the second number.
3. They added the doubled numbers that add up to the second number.
4. They multiplied the result by the first number.

Examples you can see

Let’s try multiplying 3 x 6 the Egyptian way:

1. Start with 1 and 3 (because 1 x 3 = 3)
2. Double the numbers: 2 and 6 (because 2 x 3 = 6)
3. Double again: 4 and 12 (because 4 x 3 = 12)
4. Now, we want to make 6 from 1, 2, and 4. We can use 2 + 4 = 6.
5. Add the numbers that match: 6 + 12 = 18
6. So, 3 x 6 = 18

Here’s a table to help you see the process:

Then we see that 2 + 4 = 6, so we add 6 + 12 = 18.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are an Ancient Egyptian scribe and you have to calculate how many bricks are needed to build a small wall. You know that each row has 7 bricks and there are 5 rows.

Let’s solve 5 x 7 the Egyptian way:

1. Start with 1 and 7
2. Double it: 2 and 14
3. Double again: 4 and 28
4. We want to make 5 from 1, 2, and 4. We use 1 + 4 = 5.
5. Add the numbers: 7 + 28 = 35
6. So, 5 x 7 = 35 bricks!

Great job! You’re thinking like an Ancient Egyptian!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Adding the wrong doubled numbers.
  Why it happens: Children might get confused about which numbers to add.
  Fix: Make sure to check that the numbers you add together equal the second number you’re multiplying by.
• Mistake: Forgetting to double the first number.
  Why it happens: The process can be confusing if children don’t follow each step.
  Fix: Write down the first number at the start and double it every time.
• Mistake: Not checking if the final sum matches the answer.
  Why it happens: Children might not double-check their work.
  Fix: Use a calculator or normal multiplication to verify your answer.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with Ancient Egyptian multiplication is a fun way to strengthen their number sense. Try this:

• Ask your child to solve a simple multiplication problem using the Egyptian method.
• Use everyday examples like: “If you have 4 boxes and each box has 3 toys, how many toys are there in total?”
• Encourage them to draw their own doubling chart to help with the process.
• Don’t worry if they get it wrong at first – it’s part of learning!
• Let them explain their thinking to you – it helps them understand better.

Practice questions

1. What is 2 x 8 using the Egyptian method?
2. Try 4 x 5 using the Egyptian method.
3. Use the Egyptian method to solve 6 x 3.
4. Can you work out 7 x 4 using this method?
5. What is 9 x 2 using the Egyptian method?

Answers:

1. 2 x 8 = 16
2. 4 x 5 = 20
3. 6 x 3 = 18
4. 7 x 4 = 28
5. 9 x 2 = 18

FAQ

What is Ancient Egyptian multiplication?
It is a way of multiplying numbers by doubling and adding, used by Ancient Egyptians over 4,000 years ago.

Why did Ancient Egyptians use this method?
They didn’t have multiplication tables like we do. This method helped them solve multiplication problems without memorizing facts.

Is this method faster than normal multiplication?
For small numbers, it can be slower. But it helps children understand how multiplication works.

Can I use this method for bigger numbers?
Yes! You can use it for any numbers, but it might take longer for large numbers.

How can I practice this at home?
Try solving simple multiplication problems like 3 x 4 or 5 x 6 using the Egyptian method. You can also draw charts to help you.