Mental Math: Tricks, Uses and Strategies with Examples

Mental Math is an exercise where we solve mathematical equations mentally without the help of a calculator. The purpose of the exercise is to increase cognitive skills and enhance focus and concentration. Let us discuss what mental math is that will make solving these problems easier.

Mental Math—- Tricks and strategies 

1. Mental Math strategies for addition: Break a big number into smaller parts to simplify addition.

For example, how will we do it in our head if someone asks us to add 35 and 59?

• We break 34 and 58 into small numbers. 35 is 30 + 5 and 59 is 50 + 9
• It is now easy for us to add 30 and 50. 30 and 50 add up to 80
• We know that 5 + 9 is 14
• Finally, we add 80 and 14 to our brain
• So, the answer is 94

Abacus mental math might be tricky for many students.

For that, let us try this Mental Math trick with another example. Let us use this technique to add up 68 and 45

• We break 68 and 45 into smaller numbers. 68 is 60 + 8 and 45 is 40 + 5
• It is now easy for us to add 60 and 40. 60 + 40 is 100
• We know that 8 + 5 is 13
• We add up 100 and 13 in our brain
• The answer turns out to be 113

Now let us try adding up three-digit numbers using this technique. Add 175 + 258

• 175 is 100 + 70 + 5
• 258 is 200 + 50 + 8
• First, let us begin by adding 100 and 200. It comes out to be 300.
• Now, if we add 70 and 50, how much is that? We know that 7 + 5 is 12. So, 70 + 50 is 120.
• Now let us add 5 and 8. It is 13.
• Finally, we add up 300, 120, and 13. What is 120 + 13? That’s 133.
• And if we add 300 to 133. The answer is 433.
• We can confirm our answer by taking a calculator and adding 175 and 258. The answer is 433.

Another example: Add 548 and 678

• We break 548 into 500, 40 and 8
• We divide 678 into 600, 70 and 8
• Let us add up 500 and 600. The result is 1100.
• Add 70 and 40. We get 110.
• Now let us add up 8 and 8. We get 16.
• Add all the results. 1100 + 110 + 16 = 1226

2. Mental Math strategies for subtraction: Break a big number into smaller ones to simplify subtraction. For example, subtract 38 from 75.

• Split 75 into 70 and 5. Split 38 into 30 and 8.
• 70 – 30 = 40 
• 5 – 8 = -3
• 40 – 3
• So, the answer is 37.

3. Mental Math strategies for multiplication: What is six times four? We know that it equals 20 because we have learned multiplication tables. But suppose we don’t know the tables, and we are asked to solve this simple multiplication equation. How will we proceed?

• Multiplication means repeated addition. So, six times 4 means that we add 4 six times.
• 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 24. So, six times four is 24. The value for 4 times six is the same.

Let us find the value for six times five.

• 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 30
• So, 6 times 5 is 30.
• It is the same as 5 times 6.

Another example: What is seven times three?

• 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 21
• So, seven times three is 21.

Let us step a little, using these Mental Math tricks with two-digit numbers. What are 20 times 13?

• Sometimes it might be useful to think of Math in terms of money. So, imagine if you have 13 twenty-dollar bills.
• What is the value of 13 twenty-dollar bills? We know the value of five twenty-dollar bills is 100. Another set of five-dollar bills is another 100. So, that is ten twenties. We have three twenties left over.
• Three twenties are sixty.
• Let us add up all the results.
• 100 + 100 + 60 = 260
• So, 13 times 20 or 20 times 13 is 260.
• Another way we can get the same answer is if we break down 13 into 10 + 3 and multiply the smaller parts with 20.
• 20 ( 10 + 3) = (20 * 10) + (20 * 3)
• 200 + 60 = 260. So, we get the same answer this way.

What is 99 * 80?

• (100 – 1) 80
• (100*80) – (1*80)
• 8000 – 80 
• (7900 + 100) – 80  = 7900 + 20 = 7920
• So, the answer to 99 times 80 is 7920. We will get the same value if we confirm the answer using a calculator.

4. Mental Math strategies for division: Let us divide 324 by 2. How can we do so mentally? 

• The trick is to divide the first two digits, 32 by 2. We get 16.
• Now divide the third digit four by 2. We get 2.
• Combine the two results. The answer is 162.
• We get the same result if we solve this equation using a calculator.

Let us try this trick on another example. Let us divide 144 by 2.

• Divide the first two digits, 14 by 2. We get 7.
• Now divide the third digit, 4 by 2. We get  2.
• Combine the two results. We get 72.
• These Mental Math tricks will seem easier with more practice.

How is learning Mental Math Helpful? 

• Let us discuss a quick analogy to understand the benefit of Mental Math. Sometimes, it is easier to understand something through an analogy than by spelling out the benefits. There are so many of us who love playing cricket. For years we practice the skill of throwing the ball and hitting it with the bat. We put in all that effort, but we will probably become professional cricketers.
•  Then why do we play cricket? If we are not going to make a career out of it, what is the point of us putting all that effort into learning the game? What is the point of getting better and better at a skill that is not helping us build a career? Some of us might say they play cricket because they want to spend time with friends or it helps them stay fit. 
• There are all sorts of reasons, and we agree with them. There are many reasons to learn a skill that has nothing to do with becoming a professional.
• We fail to realize that learning a skill has so many benefits. When we play cricket, we also develop communication and leadership skills. We develop the spirit to work together on a team.  
• We also develop strategic thinking because we have to think about the game from all angles to win. We can then apply these skills to other parts and areas of our life and our future career. The same is the benefit of learning Mental Math. It is the same principle. 
• The goal is to train our minds to think and problem-solve in a certain way and build those reflexes through the process of Mental Math. If we just want to find an answer we just want to make money or have a career, there are many easier ways to go about it.
• So, there is an easier way to have a career than trying to be a professional cricketer; and there are many easier ways to solve a problem than using Mental Math. We can use a calculator, and it takes no effort at all. But we want the effort! Why? Because through effort, we learn and improve.

Uses of Mental Math

1. Increased focus and concentration: Mental Math makes our brain put effort. It is like going to the gym. We can lift one pound weight or lift a fifty pound weight. Lifting a one-pound weight is like using our calculator. It takes almost no effort. But if we practice Mental Math, it is like an exercise for our brain. It increases our cognitive skills and helps us focus with increased concentration.
2. Avoid distractions: It helps us learn to avoid distractions while focusing on a task. Solving Mental Math problems need all our focus and attention. We can’t get distracted because then we won’t remember what step in the Math problem we are at. Especially in today’s era when everyone is always on mobile phones, and electronic devices and our attention capacity is getting smaller and smaller, this skill is so important.
3. It increases our self-confidence: There is an improvement in our self-confidence and self-esteem when we start doing Mental Math Practice. This is especially true for those who have Math anxiety or those who think we are not good at Math. So, when they start learning Mental Math, it completely changes their attitude around the thinking they have built up for years.
4. It improves our learning memory: Working memory is a specific type of memory. There is short-term memory, long-term memory, and there is working memory. Working memory is the one we use as we are solving a problem. When we are doing Mental Math practice, we have to remember all the steps and the solution to every step to apply it to the next step. We start with easier problems and step up to the harder ones. Our working memory gets enhanced in the process.
5. Mental Math practice stimulates both sides of our brain simultaneously. It helps increase the connection between both brain hemispheres, especially in younger students whose brains are still developing. When we are solving a Math problem, the calculating part is done on the left side of the brain, and the right side of the brain visualizes the problem being solved. This trains both sides of the brain to work simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Mental maths?

Ans. Mental math is the ability to calculate in your head. It is a form of mental calculation that allows you to perform calculations without writing down any numbers or using any tools, such as a calculator or paper and pencil.

2. How to improve mental math skills?

Ans. There are many ways to improve your mental math abilities, but most people don’t know where to start or how to get started. In this article, we’ll review a few techniques that will help you improve your mental math skills and make them stronger!

3. Can mental math be learned?

Ans. The answer is yes. Mental math can be learned. In fact, it’s a skill that can be honed with practice and patience. Some of the best ways to learn mental math are by working with a coach or teacher who can help you master each step in the process. You could also try practicing on your own, either by doing flashcards or working through an online course.

4. How do you practice mental maths?

Ans. To practice mental math, you should first know the basics of how to do it. You need to know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Once you have the basics down, then you can try some more difficult problems.

5. How can I mentally calculate fast?

Ans. Have you ever found yourself wishing you could calculate faster?

You’re not alone! There are so many times in life when we want to be able to do something quickly, whether it’s a calculation or remembering an address.

We’ve got some tips for you:

Think about what you’re doing.

Visualize the numbers in your head.

Use memory tricks and mnemonics.

Practice! Practice! Practice!