Get Squared Away

Mike Byster: I'm going to teach you guys how do shortcuts in the 50's. This will work for any number in the 50's squared, multiplied by itself. Okay, here we go, so we have a number like 54 times 54, the way it works is you start out with 25, because 5 times 5 is 25, but you can say start out with 25, then you add the one's digit to it, 25 plus 4 is? Students: 29 Mike Byster: You guys are awesome, okay, now that's the first part of the answer, the second part of the answer is that you multiply the one's digits together, 4 times 4 is? Students: 16 Mike Byster: You guys are awesome, that's the answer. Everyone understand? you guys are great. Okay, here we go, we'll do one more just to make sure to see if you get it, raise your hand if you think you have it, here we go, 56 times 56 Alex: Thirty one, thirty six Mike Byster: Awesome, good job, okay 25 plus 6 is 31, 6 times 6 is 36.