The Japanese Way to Multiply Is So Much Cooler Than Ours (2020)

A viral TikTok video has popularized a unique multiplication method often referred to as "Japanese multiplication," although its origins are unclear and may also be linked to Chinese or Vedic methods. This graphical approach to multiplication uses sticks to represent numbers, allowing individuals with minimal math literacy to visualize and solve multiplication problems. The method mimics traditional long multiplication by arranging numbers in a way that makes it easier to see the calculations. While it works well with smaller digits, it can become complex with larger numbers. The stick method has gained traction online, but there is little historical documentation of its use prior to the last two decades, unlike other multiplication methods such as chisanbop or the Russian multiplication technique, which have well-documented histories. The term "Vedic math" has been co-opted to describe various shortcuts, but its connection to this stick method is uncertain. The method may have been created recently as a visual aid for understanding multiplication, showcasing a design feat rather than a traditional technique. Despite its modern popularity, the stick method serves as an engaging way to grasp multiplication concepts, illustrating the evolution of mathematical teaching methods.