easymath

What number do you get when you multiply all of the numbers on a telephone's number pad?

0 Anything multiplied by 0 will equal 0.

Why this works

This riddle is clever because it plays on our expectations about multiplication and the numbers involved. When you think of the numbers on a telephone's number pad—1 through 9 and 0—most people might focus on the other digits. However, the presence of 0 is key, as multiplying any number by 0 results in 0. Therefore, regardless of the other numbers, the answer is always 0!

Common Wrong Answers

“1”

Multiplying all the numbers on the number pad includes a 0, and anything multiplied by 0 results in 0, not 1.

“10”

While 10 is a number on the number pad, multiplying any numbers with 0 always results in 0, so the answer cannot be 10.

“45”

45 is the sum of the digits on a telephone number pad but does not account for the multiplication rule that includes 0, which makes the actual product 0.

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