Give the kid the "trick" and give yourself a calculator. Race to see who gets the answer first. (Let them win!)
Take the two-digit number, split the digits, and put their sum in the middle. Example: 35 x 11 Split the 3 and the 5: 3 _ 5 Sandwich the 8 in the middle: 385 Mental Math Kids Can't Resist!: Tips, Short-cut...
Cut one number in half and double the other. The answer stays the same. Example: 14 x 5 Half of 14 is 7. Double of 5 is 10. . (Much easier than 14 x 5!) Give the kid the "trick" and give yourself a calculator
This is a lifesaver for multiplication tables that haven't been memorized yet. It simplifies complex problems into manageable ones. Example: 35 x 11 Split the 3 and
This is how our brains naturally read, so it feels more intuitive than the "stacking" method. 5. Squaring Numbers Ending in 5 This one makes kids look like absolute geniuses. The Trick: To square a number like 25, 35, or 75: The answer always ends in 25.
Most kids struggle with numbers that require "carrying" or "borrowing." Friendly numbers make those problems disappear.
At a restaurant, ask them to mentally calculate the 10% or 20% tip before you look at the receipt.