Mathematics is a skill that becomes easier the more you practice it. One of the most important skills in maths is mental maths—solving problems quickly in your head without using paper, a calculator, or your fingers.
Being good at mental maths can save time during exams, help you in daily life, and even make you feel more confident. Whether you are in primary school or high school, learning to calculate faster is like training your brain to be sharper and quicker.
In this blog, we will share 7 easy tips to improve your mental maths speed so you can solve problems like a pro.
1. Learn and Master Basic Number Facts
The first step in mental maths is knowing your basic facts by heart. These are things you should remember instantly without calculating each time.
- Addition facts: Like 2 + 3 = 5, 7 + 8 = 15.
- Subtraction facts: Like 10 – 4 = 6, 15 – 9 = 6.
- Multiplication tables: Learn tables from 1 to 20 if possible.
- Division facts: If you know multiplication, division becomes easier.
When you know these facts instantly, your brain can work faster because you don’t waste time counting fingers or drawing lines.
How to practice:
- Use flashcards.
- Play quick math games online or offline.
- Ask someone to quiz you daily for 5 minutes.
2. Break Down Big Problems into Smaller Parts
This is called the breaking down or chunking method. Instead of solving a big sum all at once, divide it into smaller, easier steps.
Example:
If you want to calculate 47 × 6 in your head:
- Break 47 into 40 and 7.
- Multiply: 40 × 6 = 240, and 7 × 6 = 42.
- Add them: 240 + 42 = 282.
This method works for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It helps you solve tricky problems without getting stuck.
3. Practice Estimation
Estimation means finding a close answer without solving exactly. This helps you check if your answer is reasonable before spending time on it.
Example:
If you are buying three items costing ₹98, ₹102, and ₹99, instead of adding exactly, you can estimate:
- ₹98 is about ₹100, ₹102 is about ₹100, and ₹99 is about ₹100.
- 100 + 100 + 100 = ₹300 (Your total will be a little less than ₹300).
Estimation saves time and helps your brain think in numbers quickly.
4. Use Mental Maths Tricks and Shortcuts
Learning simple maths tricks can make calculations super fast.
Some examples:
- Multiplying by 5: Half the number and multiply by 10.
Example: 64 × 5 → Half of 64 is 32 → 32 × 10 = 320. - Squaring numbers ending in 5: Multiply the first number by the next number, then add 25.
Example: 35² → 3 × 4 = 12 → 1225. - Subtracting from 1000: Subtract each digit from 9, and the last digit from 10.
These tricks make you faster and more confident.
5. Practice Mental Maths Daily
Just like exercise makes your body strong, regular mental maths practice makes your brain sharp.
- Spend at least 10 minutes daily doing mental maths problems.
- Avoid using a calculator for small sums.
- Challenge yourself with puzzles like Sudoku or magic squares.
The more you practice, the faster you’ll get.
6. Visualise Numbers in Your Head
When solving problems, try to picture the numbers in your mind. This helps you keep track of steps without writing them down.
Example:
For 68 – 29, imagine 68 in your head and subtract 30 (68 – 30 = 38), then add 1 (38 + 1 = 39).
Visualising numbers is a skill that gets better with practice and makes mental maths easier.
7. Stay Calm and Focused
Sometimes, we know the answer but panic under time pressure. If you stay calm, you think more clearly.
Tips to stay calm during mental maths:
- Take a deep breath before starting.
- Don’t rush—accuracy is more important than speed at first.
- Slowly increase your speed with practice.
Remember, mental maths is not about being a “math genius” overnight—it’s about improving little by little every day.
Why Mental Maths is Important for Kids
- Helps in exams and saves time.
- Improves concentration and memory.
- Builds problem-solving skills.
- Makes you confident in handling money, measurements, and real-life maths situations.
Final Thoughts
Mental maths is like a superpower you can develop with daily practice. Start by learning your basic facts, use tricks for quick calculations, break big problems into small ones, and keep practicing every day.
Soon, you’ll notice that you can solve sums faster without even realising it. Remember—speed comes with practice, not by rushing.
So, start today and enjoy the fun of being quick with numbers!
