I have the following code: <?php $start = 1; $timestart = microtime(1); for ($i = 0; $i < 1000000; $i++) { $result1 = $start * 4; } echo "\n"; echo microtime(1) - $timestart; echo "\n"; $timestart = microtime(1); for ($i = 0; $i < 1000000; $i++) { $result2 = $start << 2; } echo "\n"; echo microtime(1) - $timestart; echo "\n"; This outputs: 0.14027094841003 0.12061500549316 I found on the Internet a Google interview question (which I wanted to apply for a developer, but I realize I can't), and one of the questions asked what the fastest way was to multiply a number. My first thought was to use the * sign, so I tested it. My question is, why is shifting bits faster than multiplication?
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