Top 10 Tricks to Master Mental Maths: Solve Complex Calculations in Seconds

Mathematics is not just about solving problems on paper. It is about quick thinking, confidence, and making numbers fun.

When children develop strong mental math skills, they calculate faster, solve problems with ease, and gain confidence in everyday activities.

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Mental math helps children estimate costs while shopping, share a pizza equally, or solve tricky test questions without using a calculator. The best part is that it becomes easy with the right tricks.

In this blog, we will explore 10 simple and fun strategies to help children improve their mental math skills. These tricks will make learning exciting and encourage children to enjoy working with numbers

Top 10 Tricks to Master Mental Maths

Top 10 Tricks to Help Children Master Mental Maths

Here are 10 simple tricks that make mental math fun and easy for kids, helping them build confidence and enjoy working with number

1. Breaking Down Numbers (The Split Strategy)

Instead of solving big numbers in one go, breaking them down makes calculations simpler. For instance, if a child needs to solve 47 + 38, they can split it into manageable parts: (47 + 30) + 8 = 77 + 8 = 85. This method builds number sense and enhances problem-solving skills. 

It also works well for subtraction; for 95 - 46, think 95 - 40 = 55, then 55 - 6 = 49. Encouraging children to practice this technique with everyday numbers can help them grasp calculations more intuitively.

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2. Learning Number Complements to 10

Mastering pairs of numbers that sum up to 10 (e.g., 1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7) helps speed up addition and subtraction. If a child sees 6 + 7, they can think 6 + 4 = 10, then add 3 more to get 13. 

This trick is especially useful for handling larger numbers, like 58 + 7, which can be broken down as 58 + 2 = 60, then add 5 to get 65.

Repeatedly practising number bonds with flashcards or games strengthens this skill and helps children calculate faster without hesitation.

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3. The Double and Half Strategy

Doubling and halving numbers can simplify multiplication and division. For 16 × 5, halving 16 gives 8, and 8 × 10 = 80. Similarly, for 25 × 12, doubling 25 gives 50, and halving 12 gives 6, so 50 × 6 = 300. 

This approach works because numbers can be adjusted to make calculations easier. Regular practice with real-world applications, like doubling recipes or dividing snacks equally, makes this technique second nature.

4. Multiplying by 5 with a Shortcut

Multiplying by 5 becomes easy when using this trick: multiply by 10 and halve the result. For 34 × 5, first, multiply 34 × 10 = 340, then halve it to get 170. This trick also works in reverse for division: dividing by 5 is the same as multiplying by 2 and then dividing by 10. 

For instance, 260 ÷ 5 can be considered 260 × 2 = 520, then 520 ÷ 10 = 52. Encouraging children to use this trick boosts their confidence in handling multiplication quickly.

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5. The Rule of 9s

Multiplying by 9 follows a pattern. For 9 × 6, think 10 × 6 = 60, then subtract 6 to get 54. Another method is using finger tricks: for 9 × 4, fold the fourth finger down, leaving 3 fingers on one side and 6 on the other, making 36. 

These patterns make learning the 9 times table fun and memorable. Encouraging children to explore patterns in maths fosters a deeper understanding beyond memorization.

6. Squaring Numbers Ending in 5

To quickly square a number ending in 5, multiply the first digit by the next number and append 25 at the end. For 35², multiply 3 × 4 = 12, then write 25, giving 1225. For 75², do 7 × 8 = 56, then 25, resulting in 5625. 

This trick is a powerful confidence booster and impresses children when they see how easy it is. Encouraging them to test it with different numbers strengthens their grasp of multiplication.

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7. The Multiplication by 11 Trick

Multiplying two-digit numbers by 11 is simple with a pattern: for 42 × 11, separate the digits (4 and 2), add them (4+2=6), and place the sum between them to get 462. 

For 76 × 11, separate (7 and 6), add (7+6=13), and insert the sum carefully (7136), resulting in 836. Practicing this with different numbers helps children see number patterns and enhances their mental calculation speed.

8. The Magic of Divisibility Rules

Knowing divisibility rules saves time in division and factorization. A number is:

• Divisible by 2 if it ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.

• Divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is a multiple of 3 (e.g., 153: 1+5+3 = 9).

• Divisible by 5 if it ends in 0 or 5.

• Divisible by 9 if the sum of digits is a multiple of 9. Using these rules helps children identify patterns and simplify complex problems quickly.

9. The Subtraction Trick with Rounding

The subtraction trick with rounding, also known as compensation, simplifies complex subtraction problems by rounding one number to a near-convenient value. 

For instance, subtracting 39 from 87 becomes easier by rounding 39 up to 40, then computing 87 minus 40 equals 47, and finally compensating by adding the extra 1 back, resulting in 48. 

This method reduces mental calculation difficulty, minimizes errors, and builds number sense. It is particularly useful when the numbers are close to multiples of ten.

10. Estimation for Quick Checks

Estimation for quick checks is a valuable technique that improves mental math by approximating answers rapidly. By rounding numbers to the nearest tens or hundreds, estimation simplifies complex calculations and verifies the reasonableness of results. 

For example, summing 47 and 53 becomes easy when both numbers are rounded to 50, providing a total of 100.

This skill is useful in everyday tasks such as budgeting, shopping, and planning schedules. It promotes logical thinking and helps catch potential errors in detailed calculations.

Is your child taking longer than usual to solve simple math problems? Do they struggle with accuracy and hesitate while calculating? Now is the time to build confidence, boost speed, and make math effortless!

Register your child for the Curious Junior Mental Math Booster Course and help them gain:

•  50+ mental math strategies to solve problems quickly and efficiently

• Stronger logical reasoning skills to tackle complex problems with confidence

• Faster calculation speed without depending on a calculator

• Fun, interactive audio-video classes for an engaging learning experience

Give your child the skills to think faster, solve smarter, and excel in math! Seats are filling fast! Sign Up Today!