Simple Math Tricks Every Kid Should Know

Mathematics is a fun subject, especially when you can apply tricks that make calculations easier. Every child should have a handful of quick math tricks up their sleeve, like simple math tricks every kid should know that can help them solve problems faster and with confidence. These tricks are simple to learn, and they come in handy for everyday life. Imagine impressing your friends or teachers with your fast mental math skills! So, grab a pencil and paper, and let’s get to work on these simple yet effective math tricks.

Quick Multiplication By 9

One of the most exciting tricks is multiplying numbers by 9. Here’s a fun way to do it:

To multiply any number by 9, use your fingers! Hold both hands in front of you with fingers spread out. For example, if you need to multiply 9 by 4, bend the fourth finger down. The fingers to the left of it represent tens (3 fingers), and the ones to the right represent ones (6 fingers). So, 9 x 4 = 36!

Squaring Numbers Ending in 5

Squaring numbers that end in 5 becomes a breeze with this trick. Take any number that ends in 5, such as 25 or 95, and follow these steps:

Multiply the number (without the 5) by the next higher number, then add 25 at the end. For example, with 25:
2 x 3 = 6, then add 25 to get 625.
For 95:
9 x 10 = 90, then add 25 to get 9025.

The Trick for Doubling Numbers Quickly

Doubling numbers doesn’t have to be a hassle. You can quickly double numbers by simply adding the number to itself. Here’s how:

For example, double 25 by adding 25 + 25 = 50. For bigger numbers, break them down:
Double 64 by doubling 60 (120) and doubling 4 (8), and then add them together to get 128.

Adding Large Numbers with Easy Grouping

Sometimes, adding large numbers can seem like a headache, but you can simplify it. Here’s a trick:

Break the numbers down into smaller parts. For example, to add 397 and 256, break it into:
- 300 + 200 = 500
- 90 + 50 = 140
- 7 + 6 = 13 Now, just add 500 + 140 + 13 = 653. That was way easier, right?

The Rule of Divisibility by 3

To check if a number is divisible by 3, simply add up all the digits in the number. If the sum is divisible by 3, the original number is also divisible by 3. For example:

For 123, add 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. Since 6 is divisible by 3, 123 is divisible by 3.

Subtracting from 1000 Made Simple

Subtracting large numbers from 1000 can be tricky, but there’s an easy way to do it:

Take the number you’re subtracting from 1000, subtract each digit from 9, except for the last digit, which you subtract from 10. For example, to subtract 476 from 1000:
Subtract 4 from 9 = 5
Subtract 7 from 9 = 2
Subtract 6 from 10 = 4 So, 1000 – 476 = 524!

Multiplying by 11 with a Simple Trick

Multiplying by 11 can be simplified with this trick:

Let’s take 34 as an example. To multiply by 11:
Add the digits: 3 + 4 = 7
Place that sum between the original digits: 374. So, 34 x 11 = 374!

The 5 Times Table Trick

Multiplying by 5 is one of the easiest tricks. Here’s how:

If you’re multiplying by 5, all you have to do is divide the number by 2 and then multiply by 10. For example, to multiply 36 by 5:
36 ÷ 2 = 18
18 x 10 = 180. So, 36 x 5 = 180!

Dividing by 5 Made Easy

When dividing by 5, instead of dividing the number directly by 5, multiply it by 2 and then divide by 10. For instance:

To divide 60 by 5:
60 x 2 = 120
120 ÷ 10 = 12. So, 60 ÷ 5 = 12!

Quick Division by 2

Dividing by 2 is super simple. Just shift the digits one place to the right. Let’s take 72 as an example:

Simply divide it by 2 and you get 36. Easy, right?

Multiplying by 4 with Doubling

Multiplying by 4 can be made faster by doubling the number twice. For example, to multiply 16 by 4:

Double 16 to get 32, and then double 32 to get 64. So, 16 x 4 = 64.

Quick Percentages with 10% Rule

To quickly calculate 10% of any number, simply move the decimal point one place to the left. For example:

10% of 250 is 25. For 20%, simply double the 10%. For example:
20% of 250 is 50.

Adding a Series of Consecutive Numbers

Adding up consecutive numbers is much quicker with this method:

For example, if you need to add 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5, pair the numbers from the start and the end: (1+5), (2+4), and then add the leftover middle number 3.
So, (1+5) = 6, (2+4) = 6, and add 3 to get 15.

Quick Way to Find the Square Root

Finding the square root of numbers can be tricky, but there’s a neat shortcut for perfect squares:

To find the square root of numbers like 81, just think of which number multiplied by itself gives 81. In this case, it’s 9. So, √81 = 9!

The Reverse Trick for Multiplication

This is a fun trick for reversing multiplication:

For example, if you multiply 23 by 4, reverse the process:
Divide the result (92) by 4, and you’ll get 23.

Conclusion

Math doesn’t have to be a scary subject. With these simple tricks, kids can solve problems faster, improve maths skills quickly and boost their confidence in numbers. These easy shortcuts are perfect for day-to-day math and can be helpful for homework, tests, or even just impressing your friends. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll get. Don’t forget to have fun with it – math is all about making things easier, one trick at a time!