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Teaching Kids Quick Mental Math
1. Quick Mental Math with the 9 Times Table
Have you ever explored the multiplication table and sought ways to memorize it quickly? The following tips will show you an incredibly simple way to mentally calculate when multiplying 9 by any single-digit number.
If you pay attention, you'll notice that the tens place of the result will have numbers in sequential order from 0 to 9, and the units place will be the reverse when multiplying 9 by 1 to 9.
Another fun way to teach kids quick mental math with 9 is by spreading your fingers and counting slowly from 1 to 10.
For instance, let's fold 3, representing the calculation 9 x 3.
If you notice, when folding the left of the finger representing 3, we have 2 fingers -> representing the tens place. And 7 fingers on the right represent the units place, combining to give 27, corresponding to the calculation 9 x 3 = 27.
2. Quick Mental Math for Multiplication from 6 to 10.
To quickly mentally calculate any number from 6 to 10, spread your fingers and count in order from bottom to top, starting from 6 to 10.
Let's take a simple calculation, 8 x 7 = 56. So, how do you calculate it? First, let the 2 fingers representing 8 and 7 on both hands touch each other as shown. Below, you'll see a total of 5 fingers under the numbers 8 and 7 - this is your tens place.
Take the 5 fingers above, multiply the 2 fingers on the left by the 3 fingers on the right, resulting in 6 - this is your units place. Combine them to get 56. Try it with other calculations.
3. Multiplying by 11
To multiply any two-digit number, follow these steps as shown in the example image below:
For example, let's take 23 x 11 and break it down like this:
- Split 32 into digits 3 and 2, then add these two numbers together = 5. This result becomes the middle digit between 3 and 2, giving you 352.
Now, double-check on your calculator if 32 x 11 equals 352.
4. Quick Mental Math in Basic Arithmetic:
- Quick Mental Addition:
When adding two numbers, place the larger number first and then mentally count up in your head.
Example: For 6 + 29, mentally consider it as 29 + 6. This makes mental calculation easier as you only need to count from 29.
- Add in increments of around 10:
Example: For 55 + 24, it becomes = 55 + 10 + 10 + 4 = 55, 65, 75 + 4.
- Break down the numbers into tens and then add mentally:
Example: For 37 + 15 = 37 + 3 + 12 = 40 + 12.
-> 38 + 37 = 40 + 40 - 2 - 3 = 75.
- Use the nearest round number and subtract the excess
Example: For 35 + 18 = 35 + 20 - 2 = 55 - 2 = 53.
- 'Break' the numbers into multiples of ten and add the odd numbers separately
Example: For 35 + 24 = 30 + 20 + 5 + 4 = 50 + 9 = 59.
- Quick Mental Subtraction:
- Mentally count down from the smaller number to the nearest ten:
Example: For 23 - 18 = count from 18 to 20, which is 2 units, and from 20 to 23, which is 3 units.
So 23 - 18 equals 5.
- Break down the number into tens and then divide.
Example: For 83 - 42 = 83 - 40 - 2 = 43 - 2 = 41.
- Use the nearest round number and add the excess:
Example: For 43 - 19 = 43 - 20 + 1 = 23 + 1 = 24.
With some quick mental math techniques mentioned above, we can't guarantee if they are the most effective, but at least they are quite simple. You can teach kids quick mental math from grade 1 to grade 2, making them enjoy math more. Excelling in a logic-driven subject like mathematics is crucial for guiding children towards specialized IT or engineering fields that demand high accuracy and logical thinking.
Additionally, encouraging kids to learn and compete in software like Violympic is highly beneficial. This software, rated highly, allows users to install Violympic Offline for home use without needing an internet connection, ensuring effective learning for children. Parents can refer to the steps for installing Violympic Offline here.
Also, don't forget to explore tips on excelling in Violympic Math exams to achieve the highest scores if you're guiding your children to use this software. Strategies for Violympic Math exams resemble quick mental math teachings, enhancing your child's intelligence rather than just following pre-existing formulas.
