Lesson Objectives
  • Demonstrate an understanding of multiplication with multi-digit whole numbers
  • Learn how to identify trailing zeros
  • Learn how to quickly multiply multi-digit whole numbers by powers of 10

How to Multiply Multi-Digit Whole Numbers by Powers of 10


When we multiply large multi-digit whole numbers, we will often face numbers with trailing zeros. What is a trailing zero? Trailing zeros are zeros that occur uninterrupted and at the end of the number. Let’s take a look at three different numbers: 5300, 190,000, and 402,000.
The number 5300, shown as 53 with 2 trailing zeros at the end 5300 - This number has 2 trailing zeros, the 2 zeros occur uninterrupted and at the end of the number.
The number 5300, shown as 53 with 2 trailing zeros at the end 190,000 - This number has 4 trailing zeros, the 4 zeros occur uninterrupted and at the end of the number.
The number 5300, shown as 53 with 2 trailing zeros at the end 402,080 - This number has only 1 trailing zero. Although there are 3 total zeros in the number, the first two are not trailing zeros.
When we multiply and there are trailing zeros involved, we can use a shortcut. Let’s take a look at the following scenario:
6 x 10 = 60
13 x 100 = 1300
19 x 1000 = 19,000
3 x 10,000 = 30,000
Each time we multiply here, we can simply exclude the trailing zeros and multiply the remaining numbers. Once this is done, we can attach the total number of trailing zeros to the answer.
What if we asked what is 9 x 100,000?
Cut off the trailing zeros and multiply:
9 x 1 = 9
Then attach 5 trailing zeros to the end:
900,000
9 x 100,000 = 900,000

Multiplying with Trailing Zeros

  • Cut off the trailing zeros from each number and multiply
  • Attach the total number of trailing zeros to the end of the answer
Let's try a few examples.
Example 1: Find the product.
13 x 500
  • Cut off the trailing zeros from each number and multiply
  • 13 x 5 = 65
  • Attach the total number of trailing zeros to the end of the answer
  • 6500
13 x 500 = 6500
Example 2: Find the product.
2400 x 80,000
  • Cut off the trailing zeros from each number and multiply
  • 24 x 8 = 192
  • Attach the total number of trailing zeros to the end of the answer
  • 192,000,000
2400 x 80,000 = 192,000,000

Skills Check:

Example #1

Find each product.

32 x 500

Please choose the best answer.

A
160
B
1,600
C
160,000
D
16,000
E
32,500

Example #2

Find each product.

432 x 13,000

Please choose the best answer.

A
43,213,000
B
43,213
C
56,616,000
D
432,130,000
E
5,616,000

Example #3

Find each product.

925 x 6,000

Please choose the best answer.

A
925,600,000
B
9,256,000
C
55,550,000
D
5,550,000
E
555,000,000
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