Python Math: Multiply two integers without using the * operator in python

Last update on April 24 2025 12:44:40 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

19. Multiply Without Operator

Write a Python program to multiply two integers without using the * operator.

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

def multiply(x, y):
    if y < 0:
        return -multiply(x, -y)
    elif y == 0:
        return 0
    elif y == 1:
        return x
    else:
        return x + multiply(x, y - 1)

print(multiply(3, 5));

Sample Output:

15 

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a Python program to multiply two integers using only addition and bit shifting, and then print the product.
• Write a Python function that multiplies two numbers recursively without using the * operator, then test it with several inputs.
• Write a Python script to implement an iterative multiplication algorithm (using loops) without *, and compare the result with the built-in multiplication.
• Write a Python program to simulate multiplication using repeated addition and print the intermediate sums leading to the final product.

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Python Code Editor:

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