Multiplication
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Multiplication may be defined as repeated addition. For example, 3 X 2 is the sum of 2 + 2 + 2.
Multiplication is a commutative operation: A X B = B X A.
Symbol
Several conventions are used to indicate multiplication.
- For simple numbers, the symbol used looks much like the letter "X", as in the examples above.
- Since the "X" looks like a letter, and letters are commonly used in algebra to indicate unknowns, or variables, the "dot" is frequently used: A * B = B * A.
- Also, in algebraic use, quantities are simply juxtaposed to indicate that they are to be multiplied: Y = 3aX + 4bZ.