🎓 Mini-Lesson: Mental Maths Strategies
What is Mental Maths?
Mental maths means working out calculations in your head without writing them down. It's all about using clever tricks and strategies to make maths easier and faster!
Strategy 1: Partitioning (Breaking Numbers Apart)
Break numbers into tens and ones to make them easier to add or subtract.
Example: 47 + 35
Break it down: (40 + 30) + (7 + 5)
= 70 + 12
= 82
Break it down: (40 + 30) + (7 + 5)
= 70 + 12
= 82
Strategy 2: Number Bonds to 10
Use pairs of numbers that add up to 10 to help you calculate faster.
Example: 8 + 7
Think: 8 + 2 = 10, and 7 = 2 + 5
So: 8 + 7 = 10 + 5 = 15
Think: 8 + 2 = 10, and 7 = 2 + 5
So: 8 + 7 = 10 + 5 = 15
Strategy 3: Rounding and Adjusting
Round to a friendly number, calculate, then adjust.
Example: 49 + 23
Round 49 to 50: 50 + 23 = 73
Adjust: 73 - 1 = 72
Round 49 to 50: 50 + 23 = 73
Adjust: 73 - 1 = 72
Example: 98 - 45
Round 98 to 100: 100 - 45 = 55
Adjust: 55 - 2 = 53
Round 98 to 100: 100 - 45 = 55
Adjust: 55 - 2 = 53
Strategy 4: Doubling and Halving
For multiplication, use doubling and halving to make it easier.
Example: 6 × 8
Double 6 = 12, and 12 × 4 = 48
Or: Think 3 × 8 = 24, then double it = 48
Double 6 = 12, and 12 × 4 = 48
Or: Think 3 × 8 = 24, then double it = 48
Strategy 5: Times Tables Tricks
Use what you know to work out what you don't know.
Example: 7 × 8
If you know 5 × 8 = 40
Then 7 × 8 = 40 + 16 = 56
(because you need 2 more 8s)
If you know 5 × 8 = 40
Then 7 × 8 = 40 + 16 = 56
(because you need 2 more 8s)
💡 Top Tips for Mental Maths:
- Look for patterns and number bonds
- Round to the nearest 10 or 100 when it helps
- Break big numbers into smaller, easier chunks
- Practice your times tables - they make everything faster!
- Don't be afraid to use fingers for counting on
✏️ Practice Questions
⚡ Quick-Fire Mental Maths! Work these out in your head! ⚡