To do the method, begin by writing the two numbers you want to multiply at the top of two columns. In the left column, you progressively halve the number and take the integer floor of any “and a half” ...

I observed an Algebra class recently where students were trying to multiply two polynomials, (x + 5) and (3x 2 - 5x - 4). And as I roamed the room, I noticed several students who were stuck because ...