Quicker Mathematics : Ever wonder how those human calculators can do huge sums in their head so quickly? You may think they were born with some special gift, but the truth is mental math is a skill anyone can develop with the right techniques and practice.You use mental math more than you realize in daily life, from calculating tips to estimating costs at the store. But what if you could take it to the next level and become a math whiz?
In this article, you’ll discover the secrets of rapid mental calculation used by math champions. With a few simple strategies and tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be adding and subtracting in seconds, multiplying in minutes and dividing in no time. Best of all, strengthening your mental math muscles has benefits beyond parlor tricks and impressing friends. Studies show it can improve your memory, cognitive abilities and real-world problem solving skills.
So get ready to give your brain a workout and unleash your inner human calculator. Once you master these mind-bending math shortcuts, numbers will never look the same again.
Quicker Mathematics
The Benefits of Mental Math

Mental math has so many benefits, it’s worth developing the skill.
First, it keeps your brain sharp as you age. Doing quick calculations in your head exercises your brain and has been shown to help maintain cognitive abilities and even prevent age-related mental decline.
Second, it saves time. Whipping out the answer to 12 x 15 or calculating a 20% tip in a few seconds means less time reaching for your phone calculator. Those seconds add up!
Efficiency and Accuracy
Mental math also makes you a more efficient problem solver. The more you do it, the better you get at identifying shortcuts to get to the answer quickly. This efficiency carries over into other areas of life.
Believe it or not, mental math can improve your accuracy. When you calculate in your head, you develop an intuitive sense of numbers that helps in double checking the results of problems done on paper or calculator. You may spot errors that would otherwise slip by.
Finally, mental math impresses people. Being able to rattle off the answer to a tricky calculation or figure out a solution to a problem that has stumped others makes you seem like a math whiz, even if you don’t consider yourself one. Why not develop an unexpected skill that earns you a reputation for being quick-witted?
With regular practice of the techniques in this article, you’ll be calculating at the speed of thought in no time and enjoying all the benefits of a nimble, math-oriented mind. Pretty soon, you’ll be the person friends and coworkers turn to when they need a quick solution to a numerical problem.
Common Mental Math Techniques
When it comes to doing math in your head, there are a few techniques that can help boost your mental calculation skills.
Rounding and Estimating
Rounding numbers to the tens, hundreds or thousands place value can make them easier to calculate. For example, 43 x 68 is roughly 40 x 70 = 2,800. Estimating by rounding is a quick way to get an approximate answer.
Breaking Down Problems
Break down complex problems into simpler steps. To solve 547 x 382:
500 x 300 = 150,000
40 x 300 = 12,000
7 x 300 = 2,100
500 x 80 = 40,000
40 x 80 = 3,200
7 x 80 = 560
Add it up: 150,000 + 12,000 + 2,100 + 40,000 + 3,200 + 560 = 208,860
Using Reference Points
Memorize reference points like times tables, squares, cubes, and reciprocals. Know that 7 x 8 = 56, 9 squared is 81, and 1/5 = 0.2. Use these as anchors to figure out related problems.
Practice Regularly
The more you practice, the quicker and more accurate you’ll get. Do mental math exercises for just 5 or 10 minutes a day to strengthen your mental calculation skills. With regular practice of these techniques, you’ll be calculating at the speed of thought in no time!
Multiplication and Division Tricks

When it comes to mental math, multiplication and division are two areas where you can shine. Master a few tricks and shortcuts, and you’ll be calculating in your head in no time.
The 9’s Trick
Memorizing the 9’s multiplication table can be tedious. Use this pattern instead:
- For multiples of 9, hold up your hands. Put down the finger that matches the number you want to multiply by 9. The fingers to the left of the put-down finger represent the tens digit. The fingers to the right represent the ones digit.
For example, 7 x 9. Put down your seventh finger. You have 6 fingers to the left (60) and 2 fingers to the right (2). So 7 x 9 = 62.
This works for all numbers 1 through 10. Give it a try! With regular practice, this trick will become second nature.
Divide By 5
To divide a number by 5 mentally, use this simple shortcut:
- Half the number, then add a 0 to the end.
- For example, 65 / 5. Half of 65 is 32.5. Drop the decimal and add 0. 32 + 0 = 320.
- 65 / 5 = 320.
This works for all numbers that end in 0 or 5. For other numbers, round to the nearest number ending in 0 or 5 and then divide. With practice, estimating will become easier.
Using mental math for multiplication and division is a great way to keep your mind active and sharp. Have fun with these tricks, practice them regularly, and before you know it, you’ll be calculating at lightning speed! Your friends and family will be amazed at your new mental math talents.
Addition and Subtraction Shortcuts

Addition and subtraction are fundamental to quicker math, but doing them in your head can seem tedious. The good news is there are some simple strategies to speed up mental addition and subtraction.
Addition shortcuts
When adding a string of numbers, group them together by place value. For example, to add 48 + 36 + 59, think:
(40 + 30) + (8 + 6) + 59
= 70 + 14 + 59
= 83 + 59
= 142
You’ve reduced it to just two easy additions: 70 + 14 and 83 + 59.
Another trick is rounding up or down. To add 47 + 38, round 47 to 50 and 38 to 40. 50 + 40 is 90. Then subtract the extra 3 and 2 you added, so the final answer is 90 – 5 = 85.
Subtraction shortcuts
For subtraction, you can also round up or down and then adjust. To do 74 – 38, round 74 to 70 and 38 to 40. 70 – 40 is 30. Then add back the 4 you subtracted too much, so the final answer is 30 + 4 = 34.
When there’s a zero in the tens place, drop it and subtract the ones place. For 63 – 42, drop the tens (6 – 4) and subtract the ones (3 – 2). So the answer is 1 (tens) and 1 (ones), or 11.
For consecutive numbers, use the “minus one, plus one” rule. To subtract 57 – 54, subtract one from the 57 (56) and add one to 54 (55). Then take the difference between those adjusted numbers: 56 – 55 = 1.
These techniques take practice, but with regular use they’ll become second nature. Before you know it, you’ll be doing quick addition and subtraction in your head with confidence. Speed, accuracy and a sense of mental math mastery will be your rewards.
Read more: Why Is ‘Mean’ So Meaningful in Mathematics?
Memory Techniques for Faster Calculations
To quickly calculate in your head, you need to employ memory techniques to store and recall numbers. Here are a few tricks to help boost your mental math skills:
Chunking
Break down large numbers into smaller, more memorable “chunks.” For example, instead of trying to remember 54321, chunk it into 543 and 21. This makes the number much easier to hold in your working memory. Apply this technique for phone numbers, prices, measurements, and more.
Rounding
Round numbers up or down to the nearest 5 or 10. This makes them simpler to calculate with and remember. For instance, 43 becomes 40 and 47 becomes 50. Use rounding whenever you have to do a rough calculation or estimate.
Visualization
Create visual images or associations to help remember numbers. For the number 37, visualize 3 chickens and 7 cows. The sillier or more vivid the mental picture, the more it will stick in your mind. This technique works great for sequences, codes, and combinations.
Rhymes and Alliteration
Rhymes, rhythms and alliteration are very mnemonic, making numbers and sequences easier to retain in memory. For example, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the blue.” Or, “In ’54, the war was no more” to recall when the Korean War ended. Make up your own rhymes and rhythms to remember number facts, dates, and more.
Practice Regularly
While memory techniques can help, consistent practice and repetition is key. Work on memorizing and calculating with a new set of numbers every day to strengthen your mental math skills over time through regular use and familiarity. Start with smaller numbers before moving on to larger, more complex ones. With regular practice, mental math can become second nature.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a few simple techniques to boost your mental math skills and start calculating like a pro. While electronic calculators and computers have their place, developing your mental math abilities provides so many benefits.You’ll impress friends and family, keep your mind sharp as you age, and gain a deeper understanding of how numbers work.
The key is to start practicing every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Before you know it, you’ll be solving complex problems in your head and maybe even competing in memory championships. Who knows, you could discover you have a gift for mental math that’s been waiting to emerge. So put down the calculator, take a deep breath, and get calculating! The possibilities are endless.
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