It feels like a shortcut that lets them avoid the "old-fashioned" way. 2. Multiplying by 11: The "Split and Sandwich"
Most kids struggle with numbers that require "carrying" or "borrowing." Friendly numbers make those problems disappear.
Give the kid the "trick" and give yourself a calculator. Race to see who gets the answer first. (Let them win!) Mental Math Kids Can't Resist!: Tips, Short-cut...
It’s great for any problem involving a 5 or an even number. 4. "Front-End" Addition
Round one number to the nearest ten to make it "friendly," solve the problem, and then adjust. Example: For 38 + 25 , turn 38 into 40 (by adding 2). The Math: . Now, take away that extra 2 you added earlier. It feels like a shortcut that lets them
Here’s a deep dive into the mental math strategies that are actually fun for kids to learn. 1. The "Friendly Numbers" Strategy (Compensation)
This is arguably the coolest-looking trick in mental math. It works for any two-digit number multiplied by 11. Give the kid the "trick" and give yourself a calculator
Standard school math teaches kids to work right-to-left (ones, then tens). Mental math is much faster . The Trick: Add the "big" values first. Example: 64 + 28 Add the tens: Add the ones: