Multiplication is a shortcut to add up the same numbers. The result of its operation is called product, and "X" is the symbol of multiplication. From the philosophical point of view, multiplication is the result of qualitative change caused by additive quantity. The multiplication of integers (including negative numbers), rational numbers (fractions) and real numbers is a systematic summary of this basic definition.

Multiplication can also be seen as calculating the objects arranged in a rectangle (integer) or finding the area of a rectangle with a given side length. The area of the rectangle does not depend on which side is measured first, which shows the exchange property. The product of two measured values is a new type of measurement, for example, multiplying the length of two sides of a rectangle to get its area, which is the theme of size analysis.

In the process of arithmetic development of various civilizations, the generation of multiplication operation is a very important step. A civilization can successfully develop counting methods and addition and subtraction operations, but it is not so easy to create simple and feasible multiplication methods. The vertical calculation of multiplication seems simple, but it is necessary to master the formula table of multiplication in advance.

Considering this, this vertical calculation is not perfect. It will soon be seen that in the development of mathematics, different civilizations have created different multiplication methods, and some can even abandon the multiplication table completely.

The benefits of learning mathematics

People who are good at math are relatively smart and savvy, and they can show their advantages in dealing with people. The faster you think, the more ways and ideas you have. Cambridge, majoring in financial mathematics at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States, said that studying mathematics has brought her mental exercise and made me pay more attention to the rigor of thinking in my life.

For example, before solving a problem, I like to divide it into several sections, and each section is divided into several steps, so that I can dig slowly like a branch instead of thinking in confusion in front of a pile of data. Mathematics is the foundation of other disciplines, and it is easier for people who learn mathematics well to get into other disciplines. Learning software, computer, finance and other engineering majors is even more handy.

Can manage money better than others. The application of mathematics in life is everywhere. Nowadays, the society is already an information society, and mathematical knowledge is used in financial management and computers. Warren Buffett is very powerful, but Buffett's power is also based on mathematics. Buffett's decision-making process is actually the method of using subjective probability.