Mental Mathematics

Chapter 0 – Quick Tricks

A1: Multiply any 2 Digit number [whose sum is less than 10] by 11

Step 1: Add the two numbers

Step 2: Place the added number between the two numbers

Eg. 72*11 = 792

This technique can even be used to 3 digit numbers summing to less than 10

A2: Multiply any 2 digit number, whose sum is greater than 10, by 11

Step 1: Add the two numbers

Step 2: Add 1 to the first digit of original number

Step 3: Place the 2nd number of the added number in between the original numbers

Eg. 97*11 = 1067

A3: Square any 2 digit number ending with 5

Step 1: Multiply first digit with its next number

Step 2: Place that number and put 25 next to it

Eg. 45*45 = 2025

A4: Multiply 2 digit number by 2 digits, given – First digits are same and 2nd digits add to 10

Step 1: Multiply digit 1 by its next number

Step 2: Multiply 2nd digits of both numbers

Eg. 97*93 = 9021

Chapter 1 – Addition and Subtraction

It is always advisable to add and subtract numbers from left to right than vice versa.

Simplify the problem by breaking it down until its more manageable for us, is a recurring strategy in
this book.

Program your brain to do the steps in one way. Either add or subtract.

A1: 2 and 3 Digits Addition

Step 1: Eg. 67+ 59= 67+50+9

Break it down so that it is easy to add.

The same strategy can be used for adding 3 digit numbers.

Eg. 743 + 239 = 743+200+30+9

Everyone either hears or sees the numbers. See how your mind works. With addition and
subtraction, the goal is to simplify the problem so much that you are only adding 1 digit numbers.

A2: 2 and 3 Digits Subtraction

If 2 digit subtraction requires borrowing, round off second number and then subtract.

Eg. 43 – 28 = 43 (-30+2)

If it does not require borrowing then do it using the usual algorithm.

Eg. 97 – 52 = 97-50-2

For 3 digits too, same technique and rule of thumb holds good. However, for complex
problems like 483-269, there is a technique called ‘Complements’.

One needs to be good at complements if one is to do mental subtraction quickly.

Eg. 523 – 477 = 523 – (500-23)

Chapter 2 - Multiplication

A1: 2*1 Digit Problems

Similar to addition, you simply make the problem easier until you’re adding just one number.

Eg. 48*8 = (40*8) + (8*8)

When multiplying numbers ending with either 8 or 9, rounding up can be used.

Eg. 78*9 = (80*9) – (9*2)

Multiplying 3 digits follow the same pattern. In the beginning, you might want to look into
the problem again and again while solving, but it becomes easier.

Eg. 326*7 = (320*7) + (20*7) + (7*7)

While solving these problems, say the numbers out loud while you’re adding them.

A2: Square 2 digit numbers

For numbers ending with 5 you already know the algorithm. For other numbers, add and
subtract to the nearest 10, and then multiply the resultant number.

Eg. 86*86 = 90*82 + 4^2

Chapter 3 – Advanced Multiplication

A1: 2 Digit by 2 Digit Multiplication

The trick is again breaking up numbers to nearest zero and adding them. However, while
deciding which number to break up, choose number that will produce the easy multiplication
problem, usually the number that ends with less than 5.
 Eg. 47*73 = (47*70) + (47*3)

Exception to breaking up the number with smaller last digit: If the number is in fifties, break
that up even if the bigger number has a smaller last digit.

Also remember the algorithm for multiplying by 11. Its much straight forward and easy.

A2: Subtraction Method

When you multiply any 2 digit numbers where on of the numbers are ending with 8 or 9, this
method comes in handy.

Eg. 59*17 = (60*17) – 1*17

This method can also be used for numbers that are near 100.

Eg. 96*98 = 100*98 – 4*98

Remember here that, complements used in the above chapter come in handy.

A3: Factoring Method

Break down the 2 digit number into one digit factor and then multiply it.

Eg. 72*47 = (47*9) *8

You can even break it down into 3 factors.

Eg. 75*88 = 88*5 + 88*5 + 88*3

The factoring method is usually the easiest since it only has 2 steps. Train your mind to
always work out problems using this method if digits lend themselves to factoring.

While factoring, is helpful to remember and nose out the ‘Friendly Products’ – those that
create a 0 in the middle.

Also, if the number is a factor of 11, then it becomes easier to calculate using the algorithm
we previously used.

This point is a crucial juncture in mental math journey. What we’ve learned so far more or less forms
the basics of 90% of what we encounter IRL. Practice them and master them. Become fluent in it.
While practicing 2*2, practice all 3 methods. Three digit squares and cubes aren’t as important.

Chapter 4 – Division

A1: One digit Division

Step 1 is to mentally figure out how many digits the answer will have.

Step 2: Determine the largest multiple of 10 (If answer is determined as having 2 digits) that
can be multiplied by the divisor.

To determine how many digits are there in the answer, multiply the divisor by 100, 1000 and
9000. This really is the very first step in single digit division.
 Eg. 175/7 = 20+5=25

Run through your head, multiples of 10 until you reach the nearest number.

Trick 1: If you are dividing by 5, then multiply by 2 and divide by 10. This is a simple technique.

Trick 2: Use the ‘Rule of Thumb’ while remembering 3 digit numbers.

A2: 2 Digit Division

This process requires one to be really fluent in 2 digit multiplication and 1 digit division. If
you are, you can divide 3 and 4 digit numbers by 2 digits with relative ease.

Step 1 is finding out the number of digits in the answer, as usual.

Step 2: You find out what the first digit of the answer is, by multiplying the divisor by
multiples of 10s. Then the usual algorithm is followed.

Trick 3: If both numbers are even, you can divide it by 2 and the perform the division. This is
especially useful if such division can help break the divisor from 2 digits to 1 digit. But if you do do
this, always express the answer in decimal and not fraction. Also watch out for problems that can be
divided by 2 twice. It simplifies the problem further.

Trick 4: If divisor ends with 5 and dividend ends with 0, multiply both by 2 and divide by 10. Then
perform the division algorithm.

A3: Decimals

The author asks us to memorize decimals starting from 2 to 11.

A4: Divisibility Test

You need to be able to perform the divisibility test of any number starting from 2 to 11