Mental Math Tips and Tricks for kids

Mental math tricks are the fundamental blocks that form the basis of our thinking process. Mental math is not just about quick answers; it’s about developing a strong number sense and confidence in your abilities. Effective mental strategies are important if children are to develop true fluency. Introduction of reasoning concepts in the early stage of learning lays the foundation of intelligence development. In this context, learners can expect a significant improvement in various skills:

• Enhances Cognitive and Problem-Solving skills.
• Improves Number sense, speed and accuracy.
• Boosts brain health and confidence.
• Decision-making and Innovation 

“Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding.” – William Paul Thurston

Easy Math Tips and Tricks

1. Rounding up to the nearest ten

Working in lots of 10 makes addition and subtraction that much easier, because there’s no borrowing or carrying required. Students can make the most of this by rounding up the numbers in a sum to the nearest 10.

The trick is to save the “extra” numbers used for the rounding, and then subtract them at the end. For example, if the sum is 57 + 48, our thought process might be:

• We have to round up those numbers to 60 + 50, because that’s easier to add.
• But we have to keep in mind that we’ve given ourselves an extra 5 for the round up (3 to turn 57 into 60, and an extra 2 to turn 48 into 50). 
• We have to subtract that 5 from our final answer when we get there.
• Therefore, rounded-up sum: 60 + 40 = 110.
• Minus the 5 = 105, which is the answer.

2. Work from left to right

On paper, we teach students to solve multiple digit sums from right to left, starting with the ones and borrowing/regrouping as required.

But if they’re doing them mentally, they can work the other way around and not worry about keeping track of the borrowing and regrouping. Let’s take 34 + 17 as an example:

• First we add the 3 and 1 in the tens column, giving us 40.
• Now we add the 4 and 7 in the ones column, giving us 11.
• Add the 11 to the 40, and we get a total of 51.

3. Know multiplication tricks:

Multiplication is a mental math hurdle for most learners, but it becomes a whole lot easier once they understand the following ‘tricks’:

• Separate and multiply to simplify with this trick: For some double-digit numbers, you can separate one of the numbers into two digits and multiply them uniquely.             

      Example: 24 x 13 can be written as 24 x 10 and 24 x 3, which is 240 + 72, giving us 312

• Doubling and Halving Trick: If you need to multiply two numbers, one even and one odd, try halving one and doubling the other to make the multiplication easier.

       Example:

       Multiply 16 × 25

       Half of 16 is 8

       Double 25 to get 50

       Now multiply 8 × 50 = 400

• Squaring Numbers Ending in 5: Multiply the first digit (the one before the 5) by the next higher number. Append 25 to the result.

      Example:
      Multiply 85 × 85

      Multiply 8 by 9 → 72

       Attach 25 → 7225

4. Tricks for finding Percentage

To calculate 10% of any number:

• Simply move the decimal point one place to the left.
  Example:
  What is 10% of 250?

Move the decimal one place to the left → 25.

To calculate 5% of any number:

• First, find 10% of the number, then divide it by 2.

To calculate 20% of any number:

• First, find 10% of the number, then multiply it by 2.

5. Butterfly Method for Adding fractions:

The butterfly method of adding fractions can be a useful trick for younger children to use. It provides a visual aid to help them understand adding fractions.

Here are the steps of adding fractions using the butterfly method:

• Multiply the numerators and denominators diagonally.
• Add the product of the diagonal pairs of numerators and denominators together. This creates the new numerator.
• Multiply the denominators by each other. This creates the new denominator.
• Simplify the fraction if possible.

At eduSeed, we train kids to solve any math problem easily using math tricks in an engaging and enjoyable way.

Check out 7 Clever Tricks to Improve Mental Math Skills in Kids for more math tricks.