Abstract: A preadder for a multiplier integrates a pre-adder and Booth encoder. The integrated pre-adder/Booth encoder comprises multiple stages, each of which adds and encodes multiple bits (usually two) of two numbers x and y. Each stage comprises three blocks, a first carry generation block, a second carry generation block, and an output code generation block. The x input bits and y input bits are input into the first carry block, which generates a first carry out and multibit combination signal, which generally comprises the x input bits and y input bits carried straight through or only slightly modified. The combination signal and a first carry in signal are inputs to the second carry generation block. Generally, the first carry in is the is the first carry out of another stage which is combining less significant bits than the present stage. The second carry generation block generates a second carry out signal and a sum signal.