MULT $($Multiply$)$ and DIV $($divide$)$ are usually not an instruction for most RISC processors. The reason is that it takes significantly longer time to perform MULT or DIV than, say, ADD.

The compiler finds tricks to avoid multiplication.

If you have $2$ numbers, $52$ and $128,$ and you are trying to find the product of these $2$ numbers, what other command can be used instead?

The compiler could also choose to use ADD to implement MULT. For example, if you have $2$ numbers, $48$ and $7,$

a$.$ You can add $48$ seven times, or

b$.$ You can add $7$ forty eight times.

Which one is better? Answer a or $b$

Why?