Worked examples

See it done a few more times

234 × 11 (3-digit)
Write the outer digits 2 __ __ 4. Fill each gap with the sum of its neighbours: 2+3=5, 3+4=7 → 2 5 7 4.
234 × 11 = 2574
617 × 11
6 __ __ 7 → 6+1=7, 1+7=8 → 6 7 8 7.
617 × 11 = 6787
89 × 11 (with carry)
8 __ 9, middle = 8+9 = 17. Write 7, carry 1 to the left: 8+1 = 9 → 979.
89 × 11 = 979
75 × 11 (with carry)
7 __ 5, middle = 12. Write 2, carry 1: 7+1 = 8 → 825.
75 × 11 = 825
Common mistakes

Three things to watch

  • Forgetting the carry. When two neighbouring digits add to 10 or more, write the units digit and carry 1 to the next column on the left.
  • Adding the wrong pairs on long numbers. Each gap is filled by its two immediate neighbours only — never skip a digit.
  • Rushing the ends. The first and last digits are copied unchanged (unless a carry reaches the first digit).
Practice — your turn

Multiply each by 11

Do these in your head, then check the key.

  1. 26 × 11
  2. 53 × 11
  3. 81 × 11
  4. 44 × 11
  5. 72 × 11
  6. 35 × 11
  7. 63 × 11
  8. 90 × 11
  9. 17 × 11
  10. 58 × 11
Answer key: 26×11 = 286  •  53×11 = 583  •  81×11 = 891  •  44×11 = 484  •  72×11 = 792  •  35×11 = 385  •  63×11 = 693  •  90×11 = 990  •  17×11 = 187  •  58×11 = 638
More questions

Good to know

Does the ×11 trick work for any number of digits?

Yes. Copy the first and last digits, and fill every gap with the sum of its two neighbours, carrying whenever a sum reaches 10. It scales to 4- and 5-digit numbers with practice.

What about multiplying by 111 or 1111?

A related pattern works: each output digit sums a widening window of neighbours. Master ×11 first, then extend to ×111.

Vedic Maths — Veda Topper

Multiply Any Number by 11 — in One Line

The 11 times table is where most children first feel the magic of Vedic Maths. Instead of a full multiplication, you just drop the digits down and add the neighbours. Here is exactly how, with worked examples you can copy.

Learn all of this live. Veda Topper runs online Vedic Maths classes for kids and adults, worldwide. Book a free demo class →  ·  WhatsApp us →
32 × 113523 + 2 = 5= 352
Multiplying 32 by 11: keep 3 and 2, and put their sum (5) in the middle to get 352.

The rule

To multiply a 2-digit number by 11: keep the first and last digit, and put their sum in the middle. If that sum is 10 or more, carry the 1 to the left.

Example 1 — 32 × 11
Outer digits: 3 __ 2 Middle = 3 + 2 = 5 Answer: 3 5 2
32 × 11 = 352
Example 2 — 45 × 11
Outer: 4 __ 5 Middle = 4 + 5 = 9 Answer: 4 9 5
45 × 11 = 495
Example 3 (with carry) — 78 × 11
Outer: 7 __ 8 Middle = 7 + 8 = 15 → write 5, carry 1 7 + 1 = 8 Answer: 8 5 8
78 × 11 = 858

Longer numbers

For a 3-digit number, write the first and last digit, then add each pair of neighbours moving left.

Example 4 — 234 × 11
First 2 ... last 4 2 | (2+3) | (3+4) | 4 2 | 5 | 7 | 4
234 × 11 = 2574

Why it works

Multiplying by 11 is the same as multiplying by 10 and adding the number itself. When you line those up, each digit ends up added to its right-hand neighbour — which is exactly the "add the neighbours" rule.

Practice (answers below):
1) 53 × 11   2) 26 × 11   3) 99 × 11   4) 342 × 11   5) 617 × 11

Answers: 1) 583 2) 286 3) 1089 4) 3762 5) 6787

More Vedic Maths tricks

Frequently asked questions

What is the Vedic Maths trick for multiplying by 11?
Keep the first and last digit of the number, and place the sum of the two digits in the middle. If a sum is 10 or more, carry the 1 to the left. For example, 45 × 11 = 4 (4+5) 5 = 495.
Does the 11 trick work for 3-digit numbers?
Yes. Write the first and last digits, then add each pair of neighbouring digits moving left, carrying where needed. 234 × 11 = 2 5 7 4 = 2574.
What age can learn this trick?
Children from around Grade 4 (age 9) pick it up quickly, and it is a favourite starting point in Veda Topper Vedic Maths classes.
Learn all of this live. Veda Topper runs online Vedic Maths classes for kids and adults, worldwide. Book a free demo class →  ·  WhatsApp us →
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