The Russian Multiplication Algorithm is frequently discussed in history of mathematics courses and in math education courses for elementary and secondary school teachers. Students are intrigued by the algorithm as it allows one to multiply any two whole numbers knowing only the multiplication and division facts for the digit 2.

Unfortunately, most textbooks do not address the natural questions which students ask about the algorithm: “Why are the even numbers crossed out in the left-hand column?” and “Can this be done with numbers other than two?” In a survey of eight textbooks by eight different pubishers, only one textbook answered the first question and none of the textbooks addressed the second question.