What are two ways to find the answer to 237 times 76 ?

There are two common ways to find the answer to multiplication problems like 237 times 76. Let me explain both methods:

Method 1: Long Multiplication
1. Write down the larger number (237) on top and the smaller number (76) below it, aligning the digits.
2. Multiply the ones place of the smaller number (6) with each digit of the larger number (237), starting from the right. Write down the results in a vertical column.
- 6 times 7 = 42
- 6 times 3 = 18
- 6 times 2 = 12
3. Add up the column of results:
- 42 (ones place) + 180 (tens place) + 1200 (hundreds place)
4. The sum obtained is the answer: 237 times 76 equals 17,412.

Method 2: Mental Calculation or Approximation
Using mental calculation or approximation is a faster but less accurate method.
1. Round 237 to the nearest hundred (200) and 76 to the nearest ten (80).
2. Calculate mentally: 200 times 80 = 16,000.
3. The result obtained is an approximation of the actual answer, which is 237 times 76.