Alright, let's solve this math problem step by step. First, we have the number 978. Next, we see the multiplication sign, which means we need to multiply something. And what are we multiplying it by? We multiply it by 23. So, we're going to take the number 978 and add it to itself 23 times.
Step 1: 0 + 978 = 978
Step 2: 978 + 978 = 1956
Step 3: 1956 + 978 = 2934
Step 4: 2934 + 978 = 3912
Step 5: 3912 + 978 = 4890
Step 6: 4890 + 978 = 5868
Step 7: 5868 + 978 = 6846
Step 8: 6846 + 978 = 7824
Step 9: 7824 + 978 = 8802
Step 10: 8802 + 978 = 9780
Step 11: 9780 + 978 = 10758
Step 12: 10758 + 978 = 11736
Step 13: 11736 + 978 = 12714
Step 14: 12714 + 978 = 13692
Step 15: 13692 + 978 = 14670
Step 16: 14670 + 978 = 15648
Step 17: 15648 + 978 = 16626
Step 18: 16626 + 978 = 17604
Step 19: 17604 + 978 = 18582
Step 20: 18582 + 978 = 19560
Step 21: 19560 + 978 = 20538
Step 22: 20538 + 978 = 21516
Step 23: 21516 + 978 = 22494

So, 978*23 = 22494