These pages show the standard short multiplication method. It is called short multiplication as opposed to long multiplication as all the separate steps are not laid out in a vertical fashion. Rather, the whole calculation is completed on a single line with the numbers carried forward written just below the line. It is the method most familiar to adults and one that they were probably taught in school themselves. An important first step in doing these calculations is to make an initial estimate or guess of the answer. This can be done by multiplying the hundreds digit mentally and then knowing that the answer will be a little more than this. A good mental knowledge of tables and addition is need to be able to carry out these calculations quickly and efficiently. Without this knowledge children will struggle, both in finding the answer and using the process.