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15 Mental Math Strategies Every Child Should Know

Teach your child to calculate without paper using these powerful mental math tricks. From making ten to compensation strategies.

Math TeamDecember 18, 20249 min read

15 Mental Math Strategies Every Child Should Know


Mental math isn't about memorizing—it's about understanding numbers so well that you can manipulate them flexibly. Here are 15 strategies that develop mathematical thinking.


Why Mental Math Matters


  • **Builds number sense** — Understanding how numbers work
  • **Increases confidence** — "I can figure this out!"
  • **Supports estimation** — Checking if answers are reasonable
  • **Prepares for algebra** — Flexible thinking with numbers

    • Addition Strategies


    1. Counting On

    Start from the bigger number and count up.

  • 8 + 3: Start at 8, count 9, 10, 11

    • 2. Making Ten

    Combine numbers to make 10 first.

  • 8 + 5: 8 + 2 = 10, then 10 + 3 = 13

    • 3. Doubles

    If you know doubles, use near-doubles.

  • 6 + 7: Double 6 = 12, plus 1 = 13
  • Or: Double 7 = 14, minus 1 = 13

    • 4. Compensation

    Adjust numbers to make calculation easier.

  • 48 + 29: Add 30 instead (= 78), subtract 1 (= 77)

    • 5. Left-to-Right Addition

    Add the biggest place values first.

  • 45 + 32: 40 + 30 = 70, 5 + 2 = 7, total = 77

    • Subtraction Strategies


    6. Counting Back

    Start from the larger number and count down.

  • 11 - 3: Start at 11, count 10, 9, 8

    • 7. Counting Up (Finding Difference)

    Find the distance between numbers.

  • 52 - 48: 48 to 50 is 2, 50 to 52 is 2, total = 4

    • 8. Subtract to a Landmark

    Go to a friendly number first.

  • 53 - 17: 53 - 13 = 40, 40 - 4 = 36

    • 9. Same Difference

    Add or subtract the same amount from both numbers.

  • 83 - 27: Add 3 to both → 86 - 30 = 56

    • Multiplication Strategies


    10. Skip Counting

    Count by the multiplier.

  • 6 × 4: Count 6, 12, 18, 24

    • 11. Doubling

    Double known facts.

  • 8 × 6: Double 8 × 3 = 24, so 48

    • 12. Breaking Apart (Distributive Property)

    Split one factor into easier parts.

  • 7 × 6: (5 × 6) + (2 × 6) = 30 + 12 = 42

    • 13. Using 10s

    Multiply by 10 and adjust.

  • 9 × 7: (10 × 7) - 7 = 70 - 7 = 63

    • Division Strategies


    14. Related Multiplication

    Turn division into multiplication.

  • 56 ÷ 8: What times 8 equals 56? 7!

    • 15. Halving

    Divide by 2 repeatedly for powers of 2.

  • 64 ÷ 8: 64 ÷ 2 = 32, ÷ 2 = 16, ÷ 2 = 8

    • Teaching Mental Math


    Daily Practice

  • "Number talks" — discuss different strategies
  • Estimation challenges
  • "How did you figure that out?"

    • Celebrate Multiple Methods

    There's no "one right way." Encourage sharing different strategies.


    Build on What They Know

    Start with comfortable numbers, then extend.


    Make It Fun

  • Car games
  • Cooking math
  • Shopping challenges
  • Timed personal bests (not competitions)

    • Progress by Grade


    **K-1:** Counting on, making 10

    **2-3:** Compensation, doubles, near-facts

    **4-5:** All strategies, larger numbers

    **6+:** Applying strategies to fractions, decimals, percents


    Tags

    #mental-math#strategies#number-sense#elementary

    Practice What You Learned

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