2. Multiplication Instructions

• Multiplication is more complicated than the addition and subtraction operations for two reasons:

  1. First, multiplication produces double-length results:

     • multiplication of two 8-bit numbers requires 16 bits to store the result

     • multiplication of two 16-bit numbers requires 32 bits to store the result

     • multiplication of two 32-bit numbers requires 64 bits for the result.

  2. Second, multiplication of signed numbers should be treated differently from that of unsigned numbers, because signed result depends on the sign of the operands.