Key Highlights
- Mental maths allows students to solve many calculations without relying on written methods or a calculator.
- Simple number patterns can make addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division much easier.
- The best mental calculation tricks focus on understanding numbers rather than memorising random shortcuts.
- Regular practice can improve speed, accuracy, confidence and flexibility when solving maths problems.
- Students should learn to choose the most suitable strategy for each calculation instead of using one method every time.
- Parents can make practice enjoyable through short challenges, everyday calculations and quick number games.
Maths doesn’t always need a pen, paper, or calculator. Sometimes, the fastest way to solve a problem is to look at the numbers differently.
Imagine being asked to calculate 48 + 27. One student may write down the numbers and work through the calculation. Another might see 48 + 20 = 68 and then add 7 to reach 75. Both are correct, but the second uses mental calculation.
This is where mental maths tricks can make a real difference. They teach students to recognise patterns, break numbers into easier parts and choose efficient ways to calculate. The aim is not simply to answer faster. It is to understand why a calculation can be made easier.
The Education Endowment Foundation emphasizes teaching pupils to compare different mathematical approaches and reflect on strategies, supporting the idea that students benefit from knowing multiple ways to solve a problem.
What Is Mental Maths?
Mental maths involves solving calculations mentally using known facts, patterns, and strategies like multiplication, place value, estimation, or transformations to find an answer.
For example, instead of calculating 99 + 36 directly, a student can think:
99 + 1 = 100 100 + 35 = 135
This simple adjustment reduces the effort needed to calculate.
Mental calculation tricks are therefore not magic shortcuts. They are ways to reorganise a calculation, so it becomes easier to understand and solve.
Why Should Students Learn Mental Maths?
Strong mental calculation skills can support several areas of mathematical learning.
First, they can improve fluency. When students know basic number facts well, they can spend less time working out simple calculations and more time thinking about complex problems.
Second, mental maths can build confidence. A student who can quickly work out 25% of 80 or 75 + 25 without writing anything down may feel more comfortable when facing larger problems.
Third, it encourages flexible thinking. A calculation does not always have to be solved in one fixed way. Different numbers may suggest different approaches.
Useful mental maths techniques can also support estimation. For example, 398 + 201 should be close to 600. If a student calculates the answer as 799, estimation helps them identify the error immediately. The correct answer is 599. The following 15 techniques provide a practical starting point.
15 Mental Maths Tricks Every Student Can Practise
- Break Numbers into Tens and Ones
Breaking numbers into smaller parts is one of the simplest mental maths tricks for addition.
For example:
47 + 32
Think:
47 + 30 = 77 77 + 2 = 79
This method works because students use place value rather than treating 32 as one difficult number. You can also use it for larger calculations. For 126 + 43, think 126 + 40 + 3 = 169.
- Make a Round Number First
Round numbers are usually easier to work with mentally. A student can adjust one number and then correct the answer.
For example:
39 + 26
Change 39 to 40:
40 + 26 = 66
Then subtract 1:
66 – 1 = 65
This is one of the most useful mental calculation tricks because it can make awkward numbers much easier.
- Add 9 by Adding 10 and Subtracting 1
Adding 9 can be changed into adding 10 and taking away 1.
For example:
64 + 9
64 + 10 = 74 74 – 1 = 73
The same idea works with 19, 29 and other numbers ending in 9.
For 56 + 29:
56 + 30 = 86 86 – 1 = 85
Students can use this method whenever a number is close to a multiple of 10.
- Subtract by Counting Up
Subtraction doesn’t always mean taking away. When numbers are close together, counting upwards can be easier.
Consider:
82 – 76
Instead of subtracting 76 from 82, think:
76 to 80 = 4 80 to 82 = 2
So, the answer is 6.
This is especially useful for smaller differences and is one practical mental calculation technique students can use when direct subtraction feels difficult.
- Use Doubles and Near Doubles
Knowing doubles can make many calculations quicker.
For example:
7 + 8
Double 7 = 14 Add 1 = 15
Similarly:
24 + 25
Double 24 = 48 Add 1 = 49
Students who know common doubles can use them as building blocks for other calculations.
- Multiply by 5 Using 10
Multiplying by 5 is easier if you multiply by 10 and halve the result.
For example:
36 × 5
36 × 10 = 360 360 ÷ 2 = 180
This works because 5 is half of 10.
It is a useful addition to a student’s collection of mental maths strategies, particularly when working with larger numbers.
- Multiply by 9 Using 10
You can turn multiplication by 9 into multiplication by 10, then subtract the original number.
For example:
24 × 9
24 × 10 = 240 240 – 24 = 216
The same approach works with larger numbers:
63 × 9 = 630 – 63 = 567.
- Multiply by 11 for Two-Digit Numbers
A useful pattern applies when multiplying many two-digit numbers by 11.
Take:
32 × 11
Add the two digits:
3 + 2 = 5
Place 5 between the original digits:
352
So, 32 × 11 = 352.
For numbers where the middle sum is 10 or more, students need to carry correctly. For example, 58 × 11 can be worked out as 638.
This is a good example of how recognising number patterns can speed up calculations.
- Use Halving and Doubling
If you double one number while halving the other, the product stays the same.
For example:
16 × 25
Half 16 = 8 Double 25 = 50
Now:
8 × 50 = 400
This is often easier than multiplying 16 by 25 directly.
This strategy works for many multiplication problems and encourages students to look for relationships between numbers.
- Multiply by 100 and 1,000 Using Place Value
Multiplying by 100 or 1,000 becomes easier when students understand place value.
For example:
37 × 100 = 3,700
and
42 × 1,000 = 42,000.
For decimals, students should focus on how the place value changes rather than simply memorising a rule.
Understanding place value is more useful in the long term than relying on a shortcut without knowing why it works.
- Find 10% First
Percentages can become much simpler when students start with 10%.
To find 10% of 70:
70 ÷ 10 = 7.
From there:
20% = 14 30% = 21 50% = 35
This approach is particularly useful for shopping discounts, measurements and everyday calculations.
For example, if an item costs ₹800 and has a 20% discount, 10% is ₹80 and 20% is ₹160. Therefore, the discounted price is ₹640.
- Use 25% as One Quarter
Twenty-five per cent is the same as one quarter.
So:
25% of 60 = 60 ÷ 4 = 15.
Similarly:
25% of 200 = 50.
This shortcut helps because dividing by 4 is often easier mentally than calculating a percentage directly.
Students can also build from this idea. If 25% is one quarter, then 75% is three quarters.
- Estimate Before Calculating
Estimation is not about finding the exact answer. It is about predicting a sensible range.
For example:
198 + 304
can be estimated as:
200 + 300 = 500.
The exact answer is 502, which makes sense.
This is one of the most valuable easy mental math tricks because it gives students a quick way to check whether an answer is reasonable.
Estimation also supports error checking. If a student’s answer to 198 + 304 is 5,020, the estimate immediately shows that something has gone wrong.
- Look for Friendly Number Pairs
Some numbers naturally work well together.
For example:
18 + 32 + 25 + 75
Instead of adding from left to right:
18 + 32 = 50 25 + 75 = 100 50 + 100 = 150
Students can look for pairs that make 10, 50, 100 or another convenient number.
These speed math tricks get easier with practice because students gradually start noticing useful combinations automatically.
- Check the Answer Using a Different Method
Fast calculation is useful, but accuracy matters more. After solving a problem, students can use another strategy to check the answer.
For example:
48 × 5 = 240
A student can check this by multiplying by 10 and halving:
48 × 10 = 480 480 ÷ 2 = 240
This habit encourages students to think about whether their answer makes sense rather than simply accepting the first result.
How Can Students Choose the Right Mental Maths Technique?
Not every method works equally well for every calculation. Strong mental calculators learn to look at the numbers first.
| Calculation | Useful approach | Example |
| 49 + 26 | Round and adjust | 50 + 26 − 1 = 75 |
| 84 − 79 | Count up | 79 to 84 = 5 |
| 32 × 5 | Multiply by 10, then halve | 320 ÷ 2 = 160 |
| 24 × 9 | Multiply by 10, then subtract | 240 − 24 = 216 |
| 25% of 80 | Find one quarter | 80 ÷ 4 = 20 |
| 398 + 201 | Estimate and adjust | About 600; exactly 599 |
The goal is not to memorise all the mental maths techniques at once. Students should first understand a strategy, practise it with simple examples and then use it in different situations.
How Can Parents Make Mental Maths Practice More Enjoyable?
Practice does not have to feel like another worksheet. Parents can introduce short challenges during everyday activities.
For example:
- Ask children to estimate the total cost of a few items while shopping.
- Ask them to calculate a discount mentally.
- Give them two numbers and ask for different ways to add them.
- Use travel time to practise multiplication facts.
- Ask, “Can you find a quicker way?” rather than only asking for the answer.
- Turn calculations into short family challenges.
A five-minute activity can be more engaging than a long session of repetitive questions.
Parents should also encourage children to explain how they reached an answer. The Education Endowment Foundation recommends approaches that make pupils’ thinking visible, including modelling thought processes and discussing why a particular strategy was chosen.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Mental Maths Practice
A best CBSE school in Pune should focus on developing students’ understanding of mental maths rather than putting pressure on them to calculate as quickly as possible.
A few common mistakes are worth avoiding:
- Learning shortcuts without understanding the reason behind them.
- Using the same strategy for every calculation.
- Ignoring estimation and answer checking.
- Treating speed as more important than accuracy.
- Comparing one child’s calculation speed with another’s.
- Practising for long periods without variety.
The best mental calculation tricks make numbers easier to understand.
How Often Should Students Practise Mental Maths?
Short, regular practice is usually easier to maintain than occasional long sessions. A simple routine could include:
- Monday: addition and subtraction
- Tuesday: multiplication
- Wednesday: percentages and fractions
- Thursday: mixed calculations
- Friday: quick challenge and review
Students can begin with five to ten minutes and gradually increase the difficulty.
It is also useful to revisit older mind math tricks instead of moving on permanently after learning them.
How Do Mental Maths Tricks Support Problem-Solving?
Mental maths is closely connected with mathematical reasoning. When students understand several ways to calculate, they have more options when facing an unfamiliar problem.
This does not mean every problem should be solved mentally. Written methods remain important for complex calculations. Instead, mental calculation techniques give students another layer of flexibility.
The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics also promotes using known and derived facts when developing mental calculation skills, showing how mental strategies can build on existing number knowledge.
Building Confidence Through Better Number Thinking
The strongest mental calculators are not necessarily the students who rush to give an answer. They are the ones who understand numbers well enough to choose an efficient method, explain their thinking and check whether the result makes sense.
The 15 mental maths tricks covered in this guide provide a practical starting point. From rounding and breaking numbers apart to using percentages, estimation and place value, each strategy can make everyday calculations more manageable.
With regular practice, students can develop stronger mental calculation tricks, improve their flexibility and become more confident when working with numbers. The aim is not simply speed. It is to build a clear understanding of numbers that supports accurate, independent mathematical thinking.
At GIIS Balewadi, students build mathematical understanding through classroom learning, problem-solving and opportunities to apply concepts in different contexts. Parents can explore the curriculum and speak with the admissions team to understand how mathematics is taught at each school level.
FAQs About Mental Maths
- What are mental maths tricks?
Mental maths tricks are strategies that make calculations easier to solve without writing every step down. They include rounding, breaking numbers apart, doubling, halving, estimating and using known number facts.
- How can students improve mental calculation speed?
Students can improve speed through regular short practice. Learning number facts, recognising patterns and choosing suitable speed math tricks can gradually make calculations more automatic. Accuracy should remain the main goal.
- Are mental maths tricks useful for younger students?
Yes. Younger students can begin with simple strategies such as counting on, making 10, using doubles and breaking numbers into tens and ones. The techniques should match the child’s age and current mathematical understanding.
- What are some easy mental math tricks to practise at home?
Parents can start with rounding numbers, finding 10%, using doubles, halving, multiplying by 5 and making friendly number pairs. These easy mental math tricks can be practised during shopping, travel or everyday conversations.
- Do mental maths techniques replace written calculations?
No. Mental maths techniques and written methods serve different purposes. Mental strategies help with quick calculations and estimation, while written methods are valuable when calculations become more complex. Students should learn when each approach is appropriate.
