So, You Think You Can't Do Mental Arithmetic?
- Date: 2006-12-04 - Word Count: 387
Share This!
How many times have you heard someone say 'I can't do mental arithmetic'?
Perhaps it is something that you have said yourself many times . . . I know I have!
The problem, I have found, is not 'I can't do mental arithmetic' but 'I don't know how to do mental arithmetic'.
This certainly was the case for me.
Let me show you what i mean.
If I were to ask you to multiply 43×11. Would you be able to do it? How long would it take you to do it?
If you asked me that 1 year ago, I would have said 'I can do it but it will take me a while'. You see, like many people, I believed that I couldn't do mental arithmetic.
Now, let me show you how to do 43×11 in your head in less than 1 second (it will take you less than 1 second once you know how to do it).
1. separate the 4 and the 3 thus: 4 __ 3 (because we are going to put a number in between the 4 and the 3),
2. add 4 + 3 to get: 4 + 3 = 7,
3. place the 7 between the 4 and the 3 to get: 4 7 3,
That is your answer: 43×11 = 473
How easy is that?
Practice on the following and see how quickly you can do them in your mind:
- 23×11 = (23×11 = 253)
- 18×11 = (18×11 = 198)
- 71×11 = (71×11 = 781)
If I were to ask you now, what is 27×11? You would be able to work it out in your head in less than 1 second and tell me: 297.
Congratulations! You have gone from 'I can't do mental arithmetic' to 'Gee, that was easy!'.
The thing about mental arithmetic is: the problem is not 'I can't do mental arithmetic' but 'I don't know how to do mental arithmetic'.
There are many such tricks to doing mental arithmetic and once you know them, you will be amazed at the type of mental arithmetic calculations you will be able to do in you head in less than 1 second:
- divide by 5 eg. 42 / 5 = ?
- multiply by 5 eg. 68×5 = ?
- square a number that ends in 5 eg. 45×45 = ?
- and so on . . .
So, take heart! You are not as 'dumb' as you think. You can't do mental arithmetic simply because you were never shown how to do it . . . and not because you can't!
Serge M Botans
Perhaps it is something that you have said yourself many times . . . I know I have!
The problem, I have found, is not 'I can't do mental arithmetic' but 'I don't know how to do mental arithmetic'.
This certainly was the case for me.
Let me show you what i mean.
If I were to ask you to multiply 43×11. Would you be able to do it? How long would it take you to do it?
If you asked me that 1 year ago, I would have said 'I can do it but it will take me a while'. You see, like many people, I believed that I couldn't do mental arithmetic.
Now, let me show you how to do 43×11 in your head in less than 1 second (it will take you less than 1 second once you know how to do it).
1. separate the 4 and the 3 thus: 4 __ 3 (because we are going to put a number in between the 4 and the 3),
2. add 4 + 3 to get: 4 + 3 = 7,
3. place the 7 between the 4 and the 3 to get: 4 7 3,
That is your answer: 43×11 = 473
How easy is that?
Practice on the following and see how quickly you can do them in your mind:
- 23×11 = (23×11 = 253)
- 18×11 = (18×11 = 198)
- 71×11 = (71×11 = 781)
If I were to ask you now, what is 27×11? You would be able to work it out in your head in less than 1 second and tell me: 297.
Congratulations! You have gone from 'I can't do mental arithmetic' to 'Gee, that was easy!'.
The thing about mental arithmetic is: the problem is not 'I can't do mental arithmetic' but 'I don't know how to do mental arithmetic'.
There are many such tricks to doing mental arithmetic and once you know them, you will be amazed at the type of mental arithmetic calculations you will be able to do in you head in less than 1 second:
- divide by 5 eg. 42 / 5 = ?
- multiply by 5 eg. 68×5 = ?
- square a number that ends in 5 eg. 45×45 = ?
- and so on . . .
So, take heart! You are not as 'dumb' as you think. You can't do mental arithmetic simply because you were never shown how to do it . . . and not because you can't!
Serge M Botans
Related Tags: mental, arithmetic
Serge M Botans is the CEO of the web site Mental Workout
and has taught Maths/Science for 14 years in a High School.
Recent articles in this category:
- Using Weights With Yoga - 3 Reasons Why You Should Be Doing It
By putting these two together that you are fulfilling the wants and desires of your respective syste - 3 Elements Of Your Classified Ad That Are Key For Your Success
Classified advertising is still an effective way to promote your products and services. When doing c - 2 Ways To Make Your Next Classified Ad Work
If you want to have success with classified advertising, then you will want to generate a lead. With - What Not To Do When Running Classified Ads
Classified ads are a great way to build your business brand and to get qualified prospects to your b - 6 Tips For Writing Winning Classified Ads
Are you currently running classified ads with little to no response? If so then you may benefit from - Best Ways To Market Your Product
Marketing the products properly to improve the sales rates is very important in any kind of business - Find The Best Digital Printing Services Company
Aside from price considerations, other aspects you need to look into include the company's turnaroun - Choosing Eco-friendly Designs For A Kitchen Cabinet - What Are The Advantages?
You may like the idea of having a bamboo kitchen cabinet if you have an environmentally friendly att - Choosing A Kitchen Cabinet - What You Need To Pay Attention Before Buying
You can turn you kitchen, which is the most often used place in your home, more appealing by install - Supply Promotional Bags To Extend Your Client Base
Although plastic shopping bags and tote bags are the most liked variety, it is worth noting that the
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Color Psychology - Logo Design
When we see colors, we connect with them instantly on a subliminal level. No one can be sure if our - Phonewords - 13, 1300 And 1800 Numbers As Marketing Tools
In the Concise Oxford Dictionary, image is described as "the character or reputation of a person or - How My Father Treated His High Blood Pressure Naturally?
My Father treated his high blood pressure problem in a natural way recently, without any doctor's tr - The Secret to Effective Business Card Marketing
Marketing a business may come in different forms. You may opt for print advertising or cash in on th - Putting Junkmail to Good Use in Your Company
The junkmail that you receive is just tipping over with treasure for you to use in your company. It - Create A Natural Looking Stone Wall With Joint Compound And A Stencil
Interior stone walls are expensive, tedious to install, and needless to say; a back breaking experie - Eyes Wide on the Internet
How could I get tired of advertising seminars or conferences? Not only can I count on scoring - Sports Betting Online
Online betting is just another rapidly growing diversion in the visual community. You will bet on th - Custom Banners Have the Power to Convince Target Audience
Are you eager to inform the masses about your new launch? It is quite obvious that you would really - Quartz Infrared Heaters: What's Not To Like?
In case you haven't heard, quartz infrared heaters are the "hot" item this heating season. Although