What is \( 28 \times 43 \) ? A 1,200 B 1,204 C 1,120 D 1,104

To find the product of \( 28 \times 43 \), you can break it down. First, multiply 28 by 40 (which is easier) to get 1,120, then do \( 28 \times 3 \) which gives you 84. Add those two together: \( 1,120 + 84 = 1,204 \). So the answer is B, 1,204! Did you know that multiplication is one of the most fundamental operations in math? It dates back thousands of years, with evidence of multiplication tables found in ancient Egypt and Babylon. These cultures needed effective ways to handle trade and construction, which birthed the need for systematic calculations that we still rely on today! In practical scenarios, multiplying large numbers can often lead to errors if you're not careful. A common mistake is to overlook carrying over the tens. It's helpful to double-check your calculations by estimating first. For instance, you might round 28 to 30 and 43 to 40, giving you an estimated product of 1,200, which helps keep you in the right ballpark for the final answer!