Mental Math Tricks for Kids (Easy & Fast Methods)
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Mental Math Tricks for Kids (Easy & Fast Methods)
Introduction
Mental math means solving math problems in the mind without using paper, pencil, or a calculator. It improves memory, sharpens focus, and helps children think faster. Kids who practice mental math regularly perform better in school and develop strong confidence in solving numbers. Islam also encourages gaining knowledge and strengthening the mind. Teaching children simple and fun mental math tricks at home can make learning enjoyable and effective.
Not everyone is a master at juggling numbers, but the subject isn't as complicated as it seems if you make use of simple maths tricks that will make solving any math problem a piece of cake! A lot of students, as well as a lot of parents, are intimidated by math problems, especially if they involve large numbers and complicated calculations.
Math tricks help you learn techniques on how to solve
questions quickly and can help students develop greater confidence in math,
improve math skills and understanding.
Why is Speed Important in Math?
Before we explore the tricks, let's discuss why calculation
speed is essential for kids.
Boosts Confidence:
Students who can quickly solve math problems feel more confident in
their abilities.
Enhances Problem-Solving Skills: Quick calculations allow children to focus on
solving complex problems rather than getting stuck on basic arithmetic.
Prepares for Exams: Many standardised tests require fast
problem-solving skills. Practising speed-based math activities helps students
perform better.
Develops Logical Thinking: Math games encourage children to
think logically and apply strategies to solve problems faster.
Makes Math Fun: Interactive and engaging activities turn
learning into a positive experience, reducing math anxiety.
The Best Age to Start Mental Maths
There is no magic number when it comes to the best
age to start teaching mental math.
However, many experts recommend introducing it to children aged between 4
years to 6 years when they are ready to grasp basic mathematical concepts.
1) 4 to 6 Years: Building the Basics
2) 6 to 8 Years: Strengthening Understanding
3) 8 to 10 Years: Developing Advanced Skills
How to Make Mental Maths Fun for Kids?
Teaching mental maths should not be a boring or
stressful experience. Here are some ways to make the learning enjoyable:
Use Everyday Scenarios: Incorporate mental maths into daily routines such as counting, estimating, or measuring various quantities.
Play Math Games: Engage your child in maths-based
games or puzzles designed to boost mental maths skills.
Make It Visual: Use visual aids like flashcards, boards, or the abacus to help children grasp concepts more effectively.
The right time to start teaching mental maths ultimately depends on your child’s readiness and interest. The learning should be enjoyable, interactive, and aligned with their developmental stage. The focus is to create interest in mathematics from an early stage that will benefit the children in the future.
Importance of Mental Math Skills
Mental math is an essential skill that every child must
possess since it stimulates the brain. Math skills exercise the left brain,
while cognitive mental math skills stimulate the right brain, so that your child
can be creative and imaginative. When your kids do mental math, they can
visualise numbers and think of innovative ways of dealing with a math problem.
Mental math is something we all use daily. When children
concentrate, they can establish relationships between numbers and trigger their
retention abilities. Mental math also builds self-esteem since kids can solve
math problems without the need for calculators.
Mental Mathematics tricks
Important mathematical tips and tricks for teaching your
kids not only help them understand essential math operations and concepts but
also make learning and applying math fun! These math tricks cover key
operations, including addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication, to
ensure your kids grasp the fundamentals of math.
Here are the easiest and most powerful mental math tricks
for kids, with examples.
Number Splitting Trick (Break & Add)
Splitting is a way to decompose numbers based solely on the
place value lines. Numbers in an equation are broken apart into their place
value to make calculations easier. This involves, for example, combining 25
objects and 34 objects by breaking apart both numbers into their tens and ones,
combining the tens, combining the ones, and finally combining the total of the
tens with the total of the ones. This strategy is one that many kids find
success with and can use for computations quite confidently.
Supporting kids using 'Splitting'
Kids who use this strategy are developing many of the key
ideas in mathematics, such as place value, part-whole relationships and
commutative property. They understand that the position of a digit determines
its value. As well as knowing that breaking up the numbers and moving them
around still results in the same sum. Experience with making models of
two-digit numbers using base ten blocks supports kids' use of this strategy.
When kids can combine their computational strategies with an understanding of
base ten grouping, they develop very efficient ways of using their
understanding to mentally calculate operations.
Example: Add 46+23
Step 1: split each number (decompose) into tens and ones:
46 + 23 = 40 + 6 + 20 + 3.
Step 2: rearrange the tens and ones: 40 + 20
+ 6 + 3.
Step 3: Add the tens and then the ones. 60 + 9 = 69 Ans.
Example: A dd 54+34
Step 1: split each number (decompose) into
tens and ones:
54+ 34 = 50
+ 4 + 30 + 4
Step 2: rearrange the tens and ones: 50 + 30
+ 4 + 4.
Step 3: add the tens and then the ones 80 + 8= 88.
Doubles Trick
Adding doubles is a mental math strategy that can be used to
quickly add numbers. To use this strategy, you take two numbers that are the
same and add them together. For example, if you're adding 5 + 5, you would
double 5 to get 10.
How to Double a Number?
Let’s discuss the formula
for doubling numbers.
We can double any number in
two ways.
1) Multiply the number by
2.
Double of n=2×n=2n
2) Add the number to itself.
Double of n=n+n
Example: Rabia has 5 balls, and Amna has double
the number of balls that Rabia has. How many balls does Amna have?
First, let’s double the
number of balls Rabia has.
The double of five is 5+5=10 or 5×2=10
Therefore, Amna has ten
balls.
Doubles in Addition
Did you know that you can use doubles to add numbers?The addition of two consecutive numbers can be done using the “double plus
1” or “double minus 1” Near Doubles or
simply “near doubles” strategy.
A near double is a number close to a double. For example, it is
considered a near double because it is close to the double number. Near
doubles could be doubles plus 1, doubles plus two, or doubles minus one.
Example: Evaluate 2+3
We can write 3 as 2+1
So, 2+3 can be
shown as:
2+3=2+2+1
We know that the double of 2
is 4.
So, the required sum is one
more than double, i.e., .4 +1=5
Therefore, .2+3=5
Example: Evaluate. 7+6
6=7-1
We know that the double of 7 is 14.
So, the required sum is one less than double, i.e., 14-1=13
Therefore, .7+6 =13
Near Tens Trick (Make 10 or 20)
The Near Tens Trick means making addition easier by bringing
a number close to 10 or 20. When two numbers are being added and one of them is
close to 10, we first complete it to make 10. For example, in 8 + 7, I take 2
from 7 and give it to 8, so 8 becomes 10. Now 7 becomes 5 because I took away
2. Then adding becomes simple: 10 + 5 = 15. In the same way, we can round
numbers to get close to 20 and add them easily. This trick helps students do
mental math faster and solve bigger numbers without difficulty.
Example: 8 + 7
I see 8 is close to 10; it needs 2
more.
Take 2 from 7 → 7 becomes 5.
Make 10: 8 + 2 = 10.
Now add: 10 + 5 = 15.
Example: 9 + 6
We see 9 needs 1 to make 10.
Take 1 from 6 → 6 becomes 5.
Make 10: 9 + 1 = 10.
Add: 10 + 5 = 15.
Example: 18 + 5
We see 18 is close to 20 → it needs 2
more.
Take 2 from 5 → 5 becomes 3.
Make 20: 18 + 2 = 20.
Add: 20 + 3 = 23.
Example: 16 + 7
We see 16 needs 4 to make 20.
Take 4 from 7 → 7 becomes 3.
Make 20: 16 + 4 = 20.
Add: 20 + 3 = 23.
Left-to-Right Addition Trick
Left-to-right addition is a powerful mental math strategy for adding
numbers with two or more digits. Place value understanding is key, as students
will be grouping the tens and then the ones.
Start by adding the tens together. Next, append the one's
digit from the first addend. Lastly, add on the one's digit from the second
addend by counting up.
Example: 46 + 23
Step 1: Add
tens: 40 + 20 = 60
Step 2: Add
ones: 6 + 3 = 9
Step 3:Combine:
60 + 9 = 69
Example: 124 + 63
Step 1: Hundreds:
100
Step 2: Tens:
20 + 60 = 80
Step 3: Ones:
4 + 3 = 7
Step 4: Final answer: 100 + 80 + 7 = 187
Mental Subtraction Trick (Add Instead of Subtract)
This is a very important principle, based on the connection
between addition and subtraction. Once this strategy is understood properly,
students don’t need to memorise subtraction facts.
For example, if the problem is to find the difference
between 14 and 8, instead of subtracting, think “8 plus what makes 14?” In
other words, think of the missing number that has to be added; 8 + ___ = 14.
The answer to that is also the answer to 14 − is s 6
This principle comes in especially handy with subtractions
such as 13 − 7, 17 − 8, 16 − 9, and other basic subtraction facts where the
minuend is between 10 and 20. But you can also use it in a multitude of other
situations.
For example, 72 − 55 is easier to solve by thinking of
addition: 55 + 17 makes 72, so the answer to 72 − 55 is 17
Example: 52 − 39
I think, How much do I need to add to 39 to reach 52?
First, I take 39 to 40 (add 1).
39+1=40
Then 40 to 50 (add 10).
40+10=50
Then 50 to 52 (add 2).
50+2=52
Now I add all these: 1 + 10 + 2 = 13.
So, 52 − 39 = 13
Example: 700 – 658
I moved from 658 up to 700.
First, 658 to 660 (add 2).
658+2=660
Then 660 to 700 (add 40).
660+40=700
Now add: 2 + 40 = 42.
So the answer is 42.
Multiplying by 10, 100, 1000 Trick
Introduction to Multiplying by 10, 100, and 1,000
Multiplying a number by 1 is super easy; this is because whatever number you start with, that is what you get back. This is called the multiplicative identity property. Once you understand how to multiply by 1, it will not be too hard to learn how to multiply by bigger numbers like 10, 100, or even 1,000.
How to Multiply by 10
Following the multiplicative identity property, when you
multiply a number by 10, all you do is add one zero to the end of the number.
For example, 2 x 10 =20. A zero got added to the number 2 because 10 has one
zero in it. Another example is 10 x 10 =100, which means we now have two zeros
coming, one from each 10.
How to Multiply by 100
When multiplying by 100, since there are two zeros in 100,
you will add two zeros to the number you are multiplying. For instance, 5 x 100
would be 500, or if you multiply 352 x 100, just add two zeros to get 35,200.
How to Multiply by 1,000
Multiplying by 1,000 means that you will just add three
zeros to the number you are multiplying, since there are three zeros in a
thousand. So in 4 x 1,000, it will be 4,000, and if you multiply 352 x 1,000,
that becomes 352,000. It is just like what we did for 10 and 100, but now with
even more zeros.
How to Multiply Decimals by 10, 100, and 1,000
Multiplying decimals is a little different. Instead of
adding zeros, you will be moving the decimal point to the right. The number of
spots you will move depends on how many zeros are in the number you are multiplying
by. An example of this is when you multiply 4.99 by 10; since there is just one
zero, you will move the decimal one place to the right, which gives you 49.90.
For 4.99 x 100, you will move it two places to the right, and you will get 499
as the answer.
Finger Trick for 9 Multiplication
Multiplication is one of the major elementary mathematical operations, along with addition, subtraction, and division. Multiplication refers to the act of "repeated addition": if you want to multiply 3 times 9, then you add up 3 separate groups of 9. 9 + 9 + 9 = 27; therefore, 3 times 9 is 27. Many people memorise the times tables so that they do not need to recalculate common multiplication problems each time. The 9s times table even has shortcuts you can use to make your life easier whenever you need to multiply 9 by another single-digit integer.
Trick to Multiply by 9
The multiplication trick for 9 follows a simple pattern,
making it easy to calculate and less time-consuming:
For any number you multiply by 9 (from 1 to 9), subtract 1
from the number you are multiplying. This gives the last digit of the answer.
Examples: (9 × 4)
Here, subtract 1 from 4: ( 4 - 1 = 3 ).
To get the second digit, subtract the first digit of your
answer from 9.
( 9 - 3 = 6 ), so ( 9 × 4 = 36 ).
Examples: ( 9 × 5 )
Subtract 1 from 5: ( 5 - 1 = 4 ). Subtract 4 from 9: ( 9 - 4
= 5 ). So, ( 9 × 5 = 45 ).
This pattern works for all multiplication facts of 9 up to 9 × 9.
Other, there are two more tricks we can use:
Using Fingers to Multiply by 9
This trick works for multiplying any single-digit number
(1–9) by 9, using your fingers.
Step 1: Hold your hands out with fingers spread apart.
Step 2: Pick the number you're multiplying by 9.
For example, if you’re multiplying 4 × 9, focus on your 4th
finger (your left-hand ring finger).
Step 3: Bend the finger corresponding to that number. In
this case, bend your 4th finger.
Step 4: Count the fingers on each side of the bent finger.
The number of fingers on the left side represents the tens
digit.
The number of fingers on the right side represents the ones
digit.
For 4 × 9:You have 3 fingers on the left, and 6 fingers on the right. So, 4 × 9 = 36.
Multiplying by 9 Using 10s
Think of multiplying by 9 as multiplying by 10 and then
subtracting the original number.
Formula: 9 × n = (10 × n) − n
Example:
9 × 7 = (10 × 7) − 7 = 70 − 7 = 63
9 × 32 = (10 × 32) - 32 = 320 - 32 = 288
9 × 123 = (10 × 123) - 123 = 1230 - 123 = 1107
Pattern Trick for the 9 Times Table
Write the multiples of 9 from 1 to 10. You will notice these
patterns:
Tens digit increases from 0 to 9 (0, 1, 2, ..., 9). One's digit decreases from 9 to 0 (9, 8, 7, ..., 0).
Thus, we can write the table of 9 simply by writing 0 to 9 in
the tens place and 9 to 0 in the ones place.
Learning the trick to multiply by 9 can make math quicker
and easier, whether you're solving problems in your head or on paper. By simply
subtracting 1 from the number you're multiplying and then using a simple
subtraction from 9, you can solve these multiplications fast. For larger
numbers, the formula 9 × n = (10 × n) − n is another handy tool to get the
right answer quickly.
Half & Double Trick
The Half & Double Trick is a mental math strategy that
makes multiplication easier.
The idea is: If one number is hard to multiply, you can halve one number and double the other, and the answer stays the same. It works especially well for even numbers.
Children learn to double and halve numbers by moving collections
of objects such as counters, beads or blocks. They learn that to double a
quantity is to make another group of the same quantity. To halve a number is to
share the total into two equal groups.
Example: 4 × 16
I see 16 is even, so I halve 16 → 8.
Then I double 4 → 8.
Now I multiply: 8 × 8 = 64.
So, 4 × 16 = 64.
Example: 6 × 14
14 is even, so I halve 14 → 7.
Double 6 → 12.
Multiply 12 × 7 = 84.
So, 6 × 14 = 84.
Example: 16 × 35
16 is even, so I halve 16 → 8.
Double 35 → 70.
Multiply 8 × 70 = 560.
So, 16 × 35 = 560.
Estimation Trick (Round & Adjust)
Estimation is the power of guessing. In mathematics,
estimation is important for students for several purposes. It can save time
during exams, making calculations easy and predictable. It also helps to
develop mental math strategies.
What is Estimation?
Estimation is the assumption of a number that is close
enough to the right answer. It is an approximate calculation, rounding off to
the nearest point, to make the problems easier to calculate. The estimated value
or the closest meaning of an estimation is similar to the actual value.
In most cases, the estimation is made by rounding off
the numbers to their nearest value, so that we can get a quick and simple answer.
Estimation in math is a useful skill that saves our time and helps in solving complex calculations.
Tips & Tricks to Find Estimation
Break Down Complex Problems
If we get any complex calculation, we have to split it into simple forms.
- For multiplication: 460 × 17 can be split into (400 × 17) + (60 × 17).
- For addition: (660+298), here 298 is close to 300, then we can estimate it as (660+300)=960
Round
the Numbers Up or Down Before Calculation
Round numbers to the nearest convenient value can be used to simplify calculations.
- Example: (306 × 395), here 306 is near 300 and 395 is near 400, then the answer will be close to 300 × 400 = 120000.
Group the Numbers Together
If there are many numbers given in the question, then arrange them in such a way that it becomes easy to estimate the answer.
- Example: (76+54+23+40) here (76+22) is close to 10,0, and (54+40) is also close to 100, then the answer of the equation must be close to 200.
First Digit Estimation
The first digit of every number is important. Concentrate on the first digit and adjust the number to reach near the answer easily.
- Example: (2156 + 3908) can be estimated by (2000 + 4000)=6000
·
For Example-
·
Let us estimate 38 + 23.
·
Solution: 38 is nearer to 40
than 30.
·
So, 38 is rounded up to 40.
·
23 is closer to 20 than 30.
·
So, 23 is rounded down to 20.
·
Hence, the result is 40+20 = 60.
·
Calculate the estimated sum of 72 and
48.
·
Ans: 72 is rounded off to 70 as it is closer
to 72.
· 48 is rounded off to 50 as it is closer than 40.
72 is nearest to 70, and 48 is nearest to 50
·
70 + 50 = 120
·
Thus, the estimated sum = 120.
Conclusion
Mental math helps kids become faster, sharper, and more
confident in solving daily math problems. These simple tricks improve brain
power, memory, and logical thinking. With regular practice, children start
solving calculations instantly without fear or confusion.
Islam encourages gaining knowledge, using the mind wisely, and teaching children with kindness. By using these mental math tricks at home, parents can make learning fun, easy, and rewarding. Mathematical tricks are a great way to make math fun! Your child will be able to do complex calculations without the aid of a calculator or using their mental capabilities.
With regular practice, students will quickly get the hang of these mental math tricks to do speed math. Math tricks are extremely educational and will make your children extremely confident with numbers like never before!
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