OK, let's crack this. We're given 542 and our task is to multiply it by 18. Essentially, we'll be adding 542 to itself 18 times.
Step 1: 0 + 542 = 542
Step 2: 542 + 542 = 1084
Step 3: 1084 + 542 = 1626
Step 4: 1626 + 542 = 2168
Step 5: 2168 + 542 = 2710
Step 6: 2710 + 542 = 3252
Step 7: 3252 + 542 = 3794
Step 8: 3794 + 542 = 4336
Step 9: 4336 + 542 = 4878
Step 10: 4878 + 542 = 5420
Step 11: 5420 + 542 = 5962
Step 12: 5962 + 542 = 6504
Step 13: 6504 + 542 = 7046
Step 14: 7046 + 542 = 7588
Step 15: 7588 + 542 = 8130
Step 16: 8130 + 542 = 8672
Step 17: 8672 + 542 = 9214
Step 18: 9214 + 542 = 9756

So, 542*18 = 9756