9 Comments
 

48 X 97 = (50-2) x (100-3)

Use FOIL:

(50 X 100) - (50 x 3) - (100 x 2) + (-2 x -3)

5000 - 150 - 200 + 6

4656

Presto!

 
Best Response

There are a lot of quick ways to do it. Try to find what way is most comfortable for you. I wouldn't start with 50 x 100 because you're rounding two of the numbers (which makes things a lot more confusing, the only time you should do this is when squaring numbers...)

My advice would be round 1 of the numbers (either works, if you are less comfortable multiplying by 50 do it by 100). 48 * 100 = 4800. Then I'd do 348 which shouldn't be too difficult (break it up by 350 - 6 if you need to). Then simple subtraction 4800 - 144 will get you to where you need to be.

I tell you, the two ways above make it appear way more complicated than it needs to be. It should be a string of very simple steps not one complex step that gets you the answer.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 
CompBankerThere are a lot of quick ways to do it. Try to find what way is most comfortable for you. I wouldn't start with 50 x 100 because you're rounding two of the numbers (which makes things a lot more confusing, the only time you should do this is when squaring numbers...)

My advice would be round 1 of the numbers (either works, if you are less comfortable multiplying by 50 do it by 100). 48 * 100 = 4800. Then I'd do 348 which shouldn't be too difficult (break it up by 350 - 6 if you need to). Then simple subtraction 4800 - 144 will get you to where you need to be.

I tell you, the two ways above make it appear way more complicated than it needs to be. It should be a string of very simple steps not one complex step that gets you the answer.

The way i said is essentially 48100 -350 +6, but broke it down for simplicity.

boozerOpen excel. Pick a random, empty cell. Type in "=(48*97)" (remove the quotation marks when you type in). The answer is whatever comes in the cell.

That isn't really solving it in your head though..

CRE NERD
 

Ut omnis eveniet amet incidunt nihil. Sit dolore adipisci repellat. Quas quam dolore non fugit.

Non quia sed minus ea assumenda velit. Saepe eos consequatur nesciunt culpa. Commodi in error maxime eum.

Ratione nisi pariatur qui unde ut temporibus eveniet eos. Omnis saepe odio nihil officia aut a. Ut velit repudiandae ex cupiditate rerum voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”