Mental Math and Multiplications
Most kids do not really see math as a problem during their addition and subtraction classes. But the instant multiplication hits, they’d start their fiery hate for mathematics.
But this is avoided if they discover mental math as early as possible.
Mental math lessons work well with small children because their brains are extremely able and capable to soak up as much new info as possible. The best time for mental math lessons would be from age 1 to 8.
But if your kid is older than 8 years of age , you do not truly have to fret. All hope is not yet lost- they can still learn and enjoy the benefit of mental math.
Most kids wish to just enjoy and have fun. They do not actually need to think about “heavy ‘ things. They want to do things quick and easy.
Now, when it comes to mental math and multiplication, there are actually tons of techniques that your children could learn to multiply numbers without a pen and paper. They would surely enjoy these tricks.
For the following mental math multiplication method, it is important to note that your children must have memorized the multiplication table for one to ten to be well placed to perform these mental math tricks.
If your children aren’t familiar yet with the multiplication table, you can teach them and help them to do that thru abacus math. It’s a fun, straightforward and efficient way to memorize the multiplication table.
The first trick is for multiplying a two-digit numeral by an one-digit numeral. We will do this with the left-to-right strategy.
Now, I’m sure that this is something that may come as a surprise to you and your youngsters. Everyone’s used to performing mathematical equations from the right to the left. But this trick will show you that multiplying a 2-by-1 equation is much easier if done from left to right.
42 x 7 =?
First, multiply 40 x 7 = 280.
Next, multiply 2 x 7= 14.
Finally, add the 2 products: 280 + 14 = 294.
And there you have it! 42 x 7 = 294.
Here’s a better and clearer illustration:
42 (40 +2)
X 7
———–
40 x 7= 280
2 x 7 = + 14
————
294
This mental mathematics strategy of multiplying a single digit by a double-digit number is proof that multiplication isn’t really that hard. Mental math methodologies really show that mathematics can be enjoyable and straightforward with the use of different tricks and techniques.
Multiplication is one of the many concepts of mathematics that is considered terribly hard by kids. Showing them these tricks will help them to see that the idea that “math is hard” is not true in any way.
If you have an interest in becoming more knowledgeable about Mental Math, visit my Mental Math website.

Author: Sam Roxas
This author has published 3 articles so far. More info about the author is coming soon.