Top 5 Mental Math Tricks Every Student Should Know
Ever wish you could calculate faster without a calculator? Mental math isn’t just for geniuses — it’s a skill you can train. Here are 5 simple but powerful tricks to help you solve problems on the fly.
1. Multiply by 11 in Seconds
Take any 2-digit number. Let’s say 23.
Split the digits: 2 and 3. Add them: 2 + 3 = 5.
Place the sum in between: 253.
23 × 11 = 253
2. Squaring Numbers Ending in 5
Pick a number like 75.
Remove the 5 → 7. Multiply 7 × 8 = 56. Then add 25 at the end → 5625.
75² = 5625
3. Multiply Large Numbers Using Rounding
Example: 49 × 51
Use identity: (a - 1)(a + 1) = a² - 1 → 50² - 1 = 2499
4. Quick Percentages
15% of 80?
10% of 80 = 8 → half of that (5%) = 4 → 8 + 4 = 12
5. Divide by 5 Without a Calculator
Example: 235 ÷ 5
Multiply by 2: 235 × 2 = 470 → move decimal: 47.0
🧠 Final Tip:
Practice these tricks daily. Combine them with our Smart Math Solver to double your speed and accuracy.
