Math tricks can be a fun way for kids to learn and practice mathematical concepts. Teaching kids maths by using simple and easy techniques can help them grasp the subject faster. In fact, it boosts their confidence. So, if you are looking for some fun, easy and unique math tricks for your child, simply pick from this article. 

Simple Easy Math Tricks for Children

Here are a few mathematics tricks for kids that can help them improve their skills in a fun and engaging way.

1. The 9 Times Table Trick

This is a simple and effective way for kids to memorise the 9 times table. Here’s how it works:

• Have the child hold out one hand with their fingers spread
• Ask the child to multiply the number they’re trying to find the answer for by 9
• The number of fingers up on their hand will be the ones place in the answer and the number of fingers down will be the tens place
• For example, if the child is trying to find the answer to 9 x 7, they would hold out 7 fingers. 6 fingers would be up and 1 finger would be down. So, the answer would be 63

This trick helps kids remember the answers to multiplication problems more easily.

2. Round and Add Trick

This is an effective way for kids to perform basic addition. Here’s how it works:

• Ask the child to round each number they’re adding to the nearest 10
• Have the child add those rounded numbers
• Finally, adjust the answer to match the original numbers

For example, if the child is trying to find the answer to 37 + 28 –

• Ask them to first round 37 to 40 and round 28 to 30
• Then, add 40 + 30 to get 70
• Finally, ask them to adjust the answer to match the original numbers by subtracting 3 from 70, which would give them the final answer of 67

This math trick is a great way to make basic addition easier for kids, especially for those who are still developing their mental math skills. 

3. The Doubles Trick

The doubles trick in math is a simple and effective way for kids to perform basic addition. Here’s how it works:

• Teach kids the doubles from 1 + 1 to 10 + 10
• Have the child use the doubles they know to find the answer to larger problems

For example, if the child is trying to find the answer to 11 + 11, they would use the double of 10 + 10, which they already know is 20. Then, they would add 1 + 1 to the answer to get the final answer of 22.

This trick is a great way to make basic addition easier for kids and help them build their confidence in math. It can also help them memorise the doubles, which can be useful for other math problems. With practice, kids will be able to use this trick to solve problems quickly and accurately.

4. The Hundred Chart Trick

This maths trick helps kids with basic addition and subtraction – 

• Give the child a hundred chart (a grid with numbers 1 to 100)
• Have the child locate the two numbers they are trying to add or subtract
• Draw a line connecting the two numbers on the hundred chart

Have the child count the number of squares between the two numbers and either add or subtract that number from the larger number, depending on whether they are adding or subtracting. For example –

• If the child is trying to find the answer to 47 – 36
• They would locate 47 and 36 on the hundred chart and draw a line connecting the two numbers. 
• Then, they would count the number of squares between the two numbers (11 in this case) and subtract 11 from 47 to get the final answer of 36

5. The Multiplication by 11 Trick

To help kids with multiplication, teach them the trick for finding the answer to problems that are multiplied by 11. Here’s how it works:

1. Have the child write the original number to be multiplied by 11
2. Ask the child to write the first digit of the original number as the tens digit in the answer
3. Then write the second digit of the original number as the ones digit in the answer
4. Between the tens and ones digits, write the sum of the two original digits

For example –

• If the kids are trying to find the answer to 11 x 13
• Ask to write the first digit of 13 as the tens digit in the answer (1), and the second digit of 13 as the ones digit in the answer (3)
• Between the tens and ones digits, they would write the sum of the two original digits (1 + 3 = 4), giving them the final answer of 143

6. The Division by 5 Trick

To help kids with division, teach them the trick for finding the answer to problems that are divided by 5. 

• Have the child write the number they are trying to divide by 5
• Ask the child to divide the number by 2
• Ask the child to check if the answer from step 2 is even or odd

– If the answer from step 2 is even, the answer to the division problem is the same as the answer from step 2

– If the answer from step 2 is odd, the answer to the division problem is one less than the answer from step 2

For example, if the child is trying to find the answer to 50 ÷ 5, they would divide 50 by 2 (25) and check if the answer is even or odd. Since 25 is even, the answer to the division problem is 25.

7. Doubling and Halving

To quickly find the answer to basic addition and subtraction problems, teach kids to double the first number and then add or subtract half of the second number. Here’s a simple doubling and halving math trick for kids:

• Doubling Trick: To double any number from 1 to 10, simply add the number to itself. For example, to double the number 5, simply add 5 + 5 = 10
• Halving Trick: To half any number from 1 to 10, simply subtract the number from 10. For example, to half the number 8, simply subtract 8 from 10 to get 10 – 8 = 2

8. Squaring Numbers Ending in 5

To help kids with basic multiplication, teach them the trick for finding the square of numbers that end in 5. 

• Take the first two digits of the number and multiply them by the next whole number. For example, if the number is 25, take 2 x 3 = 6
• Write down the result from step 1 followed by 25. For example, 6 followed by 25

The final answer is the square of the original number. In this case, the square of 25 is 625.

Note: This trick works for all numbers that end in 5, regardless of the length of the number. For example, if the number is 125, the first two digits are 12, and the next whole number is 13, so the square is 12 x 13 = 156, followed by 25, which gives us 15625 as the final answer.

9. The Double-digit Addition Trick

To help kids with double-digit addition, have them add the tens digit of each number and then add the ones digit of each number. Then, they can combine those two answers to find the final answer. Here’s how it works:

Write down the two numbers you want to add vertically, with the units place (ones) at the bottom and the tens place at the top.

  25
+32

Add the numbers in the units place (ones) first: 5 + 2 = 7. Write down the 7 in the units place.

  25
+32
  _7

Add the numbers in the tens place (tens): 2 + 3 = 5. Write down the 5 in the tens place and carry over any additional ones to the next column if necessary. In this case, there is no carry over, so the answer is:

  25
+32
  57

And that’s it! This method helps you quickly and accurately add two-digit numbers without having to write out each step of the addition process.

10. Subtraction with Regrouping Trick

This is a method for subtracting larger numbers from smaller numbers, ensuring that you are subtracting the larger number from the larger number. Here’s how it works:

Write down the two numbers you want to subtract vertically, with the smaller number (the one you are subtracting) on top and the larger number (the one you are subtracting from) on bottom.

  456
-123

Start by subtracting the units place (ones) first. If the number you are subtracting is larger than the number you are subtracting from in that place, you need to regroup the numbers. To do this, you change the larger number in that place to be one less and ten more in the next place. So, in this case, you would change the 6 to 5 and add 10 to the units place:

  456
-123

Now you can subtract 123 from 550, which is 427:

427

And that’s the subtraction with the regrouping math trick. This method helps you accurately subtract larger numbers from smaller numbers without having to write out each step of the subtraction process.

Benefits of Teaching Kids Using Fun Math Tricks

Improves Memory

Math tricks can help kids memorise mathematical facts, such as times tables and basic addition and subtraction problems. By memorising these facts, they can quickly recall the information they need to solve more complex problems.

Boosts Confidence

By learning using math tricks, kids can feel confident in their ability to solve math problems, which can help to build their self-esteem and reduce anxiety around math.

Enhances Problem-Solving Skills

Math tricks can help kids develop their problem-solving skills by encouraging them to think creatively and outside of the box. They also help kids understand mathematical concepts in a new and unique way, making them easier to remember and apply in the future.

Making Math Fun

By incorporating humour and playfulness, kids are more likely to be engaged and excited about learning math.

Improving Mental Calculation

Math tricks can help kids improve their mental calculation skills by encouraging them to perform quick and accurate arithmetic without relying on a pencil and paper or a calculator.

Improving Attention to Detail

Math tricks often require careful attention to detail, which can help kids develop their focus and concentration skills. This is especially important for kids who struggle with attention-deficit disorder or who have difficulty staying focused in the classroom.

Conclusion

By using easy math tricks, kids can have fun while developing their math skills and improving their confidence in the subject. This can lay a strong foundation for their future math education and success.
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