How to multiply decimals

Hi,
My mum's a teacher and she found thid really cool way of multiplying decimals in a teaching book. In the book it calls it 'Italian'.
Here goes...

Step 1 Table

In this example, the sum is 35.8 times 4.6
Set out a rectangle like this:

(The dots are decimal points)
(The diagonal lines are important)

Comments

[Chaucermeow]

"Now, you must add the digits."

I am not seeing any addition in this particular step.

[LiLGq]

i dont understand.....

[NatNoBrains]

Cool

[nfk11]

wow this is hard for me because im in 5th grade

[MCzone]

Explain the *pundent* square for integers

[NatNoBrains]

*Huh*

[MCzone]

My teacher taught me this for mulitpying and dividing integers. example one positive and one negative make a negative, just follow the chart.

[adamazing]

(removed by author or community request)

[NatNoBrains]

OK Thanks

[cokecola]

I think it's COOL!

[NatNoBrains]

Thanks