Mental math is particularly mentioned in a curriculum, but it certainly is the foundation learners need. If a student is unable to do mental math and quickly answer basic questions, will they be able to perform harder equations? The answer is no; they will struggle more than others, and they will feel behind in the standard pace of learning. Don’t think that mental math is just a classroom skill. It is a powerful cognitive tool, and you will need it for improved real-life decision-making, increased self-confidence, and enhanced general intellectual function.

How do you improve mental math, then? There are multiple mental math exercises to help students develop. Using these exercises and techniques will help students understand both basic and higher-level concepts of math in a far better way. Let’s explore the techniques to practise!

Targeted Mental Math Exercises

Include these techniques in mental math fluency training and see the difference:

1. The Technique of Rounding up

Doing maths with 10, we mean adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing in 10s is easier than with other numbers. This is because it eliminates the need to carry or borrow; 50 + 40 is easier than doing 57 + 33. For this, the rounding-up technique can be the best among the mental math exercises. 

Let’s apply this to 57 + 33. Assume the 57 is 50 and the 33 is 30. Adding 50 + 30 to 80 becomes easier. Now, you are left with 7 from the 57 and 3 from the 33. Again, adding 7 + 3 equals 10 is easier. So, now you add 80 + 10 and easily come to 90.

2. Going Left to Right

When asked to add 48 + 24, the students will tend to begin by adding the two numbers on the right and adding the two numbers on the left afterward. That implies that they will also need to recall the number they must carry if the addition of the two digits on the right exceeds 10. Instead of right to left, for mental math fluency training, teach them to start going left to right.

For instance, let’s take 48 + 24. First, add 4 + 2, and we have 6; consider it 60. Next, add 8 + 4, and we have 12. Now, adding 60 + 12 to 72 becomes easy. 

3. Multiplication Hacks

The multiplication tables can give nightmares to even grown-ups! The mental math exercises also include some multiplication hacks to make things easier. Help the students memorize these hacks, and they can become better at mental math:

• Multiply any number by 1, and it will be the same.
• Whenever you are multiplying any figure by 10, simply add a zero to the end, and you have the right answer. For instance, 11 × 10 = 110.
• Multiply 11 by any number up to 9, and the answer is the same digit placed twice. For instance, 11 × 5 = 55.

4. Bumping the Decimal for Easy Percentage

Turning decimals into percentages and the other way around has proper techniques. For the sake of mental math fluency training, the students can use some shortcuts. How? 

A simple trick is to bump the decimal point to be able to quickly switch between decimals and percentages. 

• Decimal to Percentage: Move the decimal two places to the right and add a percentage sign. For example, 0.75 = 75%. How? Move the decimal point two places to the right: 0.75 decimal – 75.0 – 75%.
• Percentage to Decimal: Move the decimal two places to the left and drop the percentage sign. For instance, 45% becomes 0.45. How? Shift the decimal two places to the left: 45 – 0.45.

5. Breaking the Problem Down

When talking about mental math exercises, the trick of breaking down the problem may seem like adding an extra burden. Won’t the students get confused if they have to solve more steps in their minds? The answer is no. By solving the problem step-by-step, students will be more guided and confident in the conclusion they come to. This will be a more systematic mental math fluency training for them.

Basic Mental Math Exercises

Here are some more tips to help with the mental math fluency training.

• Practice regularly
• Start with the basics and then move to the advanced problems
• Incorporate mental math into daily activities
• Challenge abilities with timed mental math exercises

Conclusion

Persistent mental math fluency training is key here. Access to help and expert assistance will only make the process more effective. Check out Turito’s offerings on mental math exercises. How can we help?

• Personalized Lesson Plans: We personalize lesson plans to help with the precise needs of the students.
• Video Study Materials: Students engage better and therefore, learn better with our graphically explained lessons through animated content.
• Dedicated Doubt-Solving Session: With our round-the-clock doubt-solving sessions, students can continue their learning without any delay.
• AI-Powered Assessments: With our AI-powered quality assessment, we can provide students with the most suitable study materials and guidance.

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