Many kids struggle with math. It is fairly unusual for children to lose interest in gaining numerical knowledge, which may make dealing with arithmetic more challenging as they go through middle and high school.
It is important to provide children with the tools (or techniques!) they need to solve arithmetic problems confidently and readily. Learning math tricks might help kids like math and make it less intimidating. So why not try them? Here are some math tricks for kids with answers and examples to help them catch up quickly.
Best Math Tricks For Kids
Counting by Multiples
Counting by multiples involves teaching kids to count in increments of a specific number. For example:
- Counting by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, …
- Counting by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, …
This helps in learning multiplication tables and recognising patterns in numbers.
Multiplying a Number by 9
Multiplying by 9 can be made simpler by using a pattern. When multiplying any number by 9, the result will always have a digit that is one less than the original number and whose digits add up to 9. For example:
- 9 × 6 = 54 (5 is one less than 6, and 5 + 4 = 9)
- 9 × 7 = 63 (6 is one less than 7, and 6 + 3 = 9)
Adding Doubles
Adding doubles is a simple trick where kids can quickly find the sum of two consecutive numbers that are the same. For example:
- 3 + 3 = 6 (double of 3)
- 7 + 7 = 14 (double of 7)
Using Fingers for Adding
Using fingers for addition is a hands-on method that helps kids understand the concept of adding numbers together. For example:
- To solve 5 + 3, kids can hold up 5 fingers, then count 3 more fingers to get the answer 8.
This method can be practiced with various addition problems to improve mental math skills.
Subtracting from 100
Subtracting from 100 involves using the fact that 100 is a round number, making calculations easier. For example:
- 100 – 7 = 93 (subtract 1 from the first digit and subtract 7 from 10)
Counting Backwards
Counting backwards helps kids understand number sequencing and subtraction. For example:
- Counting backwards from 100 by twos: 100, 98, 96, 94, …
- Counting backwards from 100 by tens: 100, 90, 80, 70, …
Place Value Tricks
Understanding place value is very important for building a strong foundation in math. Use drawings to represent numbers with their place values. For example, in the number 356, 3 represents hundreds, 5 represents tens, and 6 represents ones. This helps kids understand how numbers are composed and how they relate to each other.
Skip Counting
Skip counting helps kids learn multiplication facts and recognise number patterns. For example:
- Skip counting by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, …
- Skip counting by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, …
Simple Division Tricks
Introduce simple division concepts using things like candies or toys. For example, if there are 12 candies and 3 friends, they can share equally by giving each friend 4 candies.
Using Number Lines
Number lines help kids visualise addition and subtraction by moving forward and backward on a line. For example, to solve 8 + 3, kids can start at 8 on the number line and move three spaces to the right to reach 11.
Bottom Line
No need to fear math! Anyone may discover mysteries of mathematics with curiosity and magic. There are many mathematical surprises to uncover, from cube numbers to captivating patterns! Next time your kid has a math issue, remember these amusing strategies.
For a more interactive experience for your children in learning averages and other mathematical concepts, consider exploring Mathema. We offer a comprehensive collection of tutorials, solved examples, and interactive exercises that make learning math easy and enjoyable.
FAQs
- What are some fun activities to reinforce math tricks for kids? Playing arithmetic games, using manipulatives like counters or blocks, practicing mental math puzzles, and incorporating math into daily tasks like grocery shopping and cooking are all enjoyable activities.
- Are there any online resources for practicing math tricks? Yes, there are a lot of online resources available for kids to practice math skills, including educational websites like Mathema, math applications, and printable worksheets. These resources provide interactive games and exercises.
