how to use lattice method?

That method of multiplying numbers is explained quite well here:

http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52468.html

I pains me to see that some areas of the US are still pursuing many of these debunked "reform math" methods.

By now surely every math educator must have seen the hundreds of clips such as these youtube clips that show the deficiencies of such algorithms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymvSFunUjx0&feature=related

To use the lattice method, follow these steps:

1. Write the two numbers you want to multiply on the top and left side of a grid. For example, if you want to multiply 23 and 47, write 23 on the left side and 47 on the top.

| 4 | 7
---|---|---
2 | |
3 | |

2. Divide each cell of the grid into two diagonal parts, creating a lattice-like pattern.

| 4 | 7
---|-----|---
2 | 8 | 14
3 | 21 | |

3. Multiply the digits at the top with the digits on the left side and write the product in the corresponding diagonal parts.

| 4 | 7
---|-----|----
2 | 8 | 14
3 | 21 | 42|

4. Add up the numbers in each of the diagonal columns. In this case, you have two diagonal columns: one running from the top-right to bottom-left, and the other running from top-left to bottom-right. Ignore any overflow digits and write down the sum of each column in the corresponding diagonal.

| 4 | 7
---|-----|----
2 | 8 | 14
3 | 21 | 42

| 4 | 7
---|-----|----
2 | 8 | 14
3 | 21 | 42
| 12 | 56|

5. In the bottom-right corner, combine the numbers in the two diagonal columns. Write down the sum as the final result. In this case, the result is 1,056.

| 4 | 7
---|-----|----
2 | 8 | 14
3 | 21 | 42
| 12 | 56
| 1,0 | 56
| 1,0 | 5,6 |

Therefore, using the lattice method, 23 multiplied by 47 is equal to 1,056.