( I OP ) 
fible not to underftand the rationale of mul* 
ti plying whole numbers: the multiplication 
of fractions is equally eafy and intelligible. 
For example, Multiply by 4. The rule 
is, multiply the numerators for a new numerator 
and the denominators for a new denominator : 
thus twice 3 are 6, and 3 times 4 are 12: 
the fraction will be -j-V or -J- or 4-. 
To prove the truth of this operation, we 
will fuppofe thefe fractions to be parts of a 
fhilling, or pence. Now, two thirds of a 
Ihilling are 8 pence, and three fourths of a 
(hilling are 9 pence: 8 times 9 make 7 2 pence; 
that is 44 or parts of a fhilling. But recol- 
lecting that I can reduce this fraction to 
one of equal value by dividing the nume- 
rator and denominator by the fame num- 
ber, I divide them by 6, and then fubftitute 
V, that is, 12 divided by 2 : but to divide a 
number by 2, is to halve that number \ fo that 
the refult is ~ of a fhilling or 6 pence, th 
fame as above. 
The Multiplication of Decimals differs 
not in the leaft from that of whole numbers, 
except that, in the product, you are to point 
off as many figures as there are decimals in 
the multiplier and multiplicand; thus, 
