Best Ways to Improve Your Math Calculation Skills
A list of some fun and easy tricks for how to strengthen your child’s math calculation skills
It is no secret that everyone has certain math areas in which they struggle with. Whether it be algebra, geometry, word problems, and so forth, it is easy to become frustrated while spending night after night trying to complete a homework assignment but to no avail. One math topic in particular that can be tough to master for young students is mental calculations. With so many different numbers to calculate in your head, it can be extremely confusing and hard to keep track of every step. However, there are many avenues that students can take to overcome these math calculation speed bumps. In this article, we will cover five different ways of how children can improve their math calculation skills and continue on their journey to becoming a mathematical expert!
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Start With the Basics
A great first step that a child can take to improve their math calculation skills is by mastering the basics! Understanding basic calculation problems will not only boost their confidence levels but also provide a solid foundation and stepping stone for further success on this topic.
Some easy calculations for your little one to start with are ones that contain nice round numbers. A perfect example is something along the lines of 150 + 250 or 75 – 25. In the beginning stages, it is unnecessary to overcomplicate the practice questions as it will only further confuse your child.
Simplify the Numbers
Once your child has mastered the basics of mental math calculation, the next step is to introduce them to the useful trick of simplification! Simplification is an important key for both increasing calculation quickness and making big and complicated numbers less intimidating for young students.
For example, say your child needs to solve a difficult problem such as 8,888 x 25 without using a calculator. At first, this problem appears to be impossible to solve mentally. However, there is one easy trick that will make this question a lot more doable. First, simplify the equation to 2,222 x 4 x 25. This will bring the equation to a much smoother looking 2,222 x 100. After that, add two zeros to the 2,222 and your final answer will be 222,200. Thanks to simplification, this troublesome question can be solved in less than a minute!
Here is a video on the Vedic Method and how it can further help improve your child’s math calculation skills.
Learn Quick Calculation Tips
In addition to simplification, there are multiple other quick calculation tips that your child can learn! One easy trick that is helpful to understand is that if the number ends with either a five or a zero, then that number is divisible by five. For example, a super complicated number such as 538,630 can be divided by five which will give you the answer of 107,726.
Another intuitive calculation tip is that if the sum of all of the digits in a number is divisible by nine. Then that number itself is divisible by nine. An example of this would be the number 24,687. Since 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 7 = 27, then 24,687 as a whole can be divided by nine which will calculate to 2,743.
Play Math Calculation Games
There are so many math games out there that can help boost your child’s math calculation skills! Board games like Monopoly are great for showing them how to quickly count money and plan ahead for future purchases.
In addition, games such as chess, checkers, and dominos require strong calculation abilities as well! Having your child count how many spaces are needed to make a move is a good way to get their math brains working.
One online game in particular that is great for calculation practice is called Fruit Splat. For this game, your child will be given an addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problem to solve. On screen, there will be multiple different types of fruit that have numbers on them. In order to receive a point, your child must splatter the fruit with the correct number on it. For example, if the question on screen is 9×4, then a piece of fruit with the number 36 on it would solve the equation! In general, think of this game as a more educational version of Fruit Ninja.
Overall, any of these options and many others are very effective ways to get children to think both critically and quickly. Once this happens, the math skills that they gain will translate to success in the classroom.
Register for a Supplemental Class Focused on Math Calculation Skills
Supplemental math classes are especially helpful for improving children’s mental calculation abilities. Instead of having your child spend hours trying to solve a complex problem. Which will eventually lead to frustration and a decline in motivation. Math classes are able to guide students through the calculation process step by step and provide them with tools on how to efficiently get through questions.
In addition, tutors who teach supplemental math classes are well versed on the subject of calculation quickness. Not only do they have years of experience teaching students the keys to success. A lot of them have also taken part in math competitions which emphasize on having strong mental calculation skills.
About Think Academy
Think Academy provides online teaching services and classes for math students across grades K-Middle School. We also provide tons of free academic resources such as worksheets, webinars, and more! For those who are interested, you can join our WhatsApp group to receive free weekly math resources!
In addition, if you would like to receive free math resources via email instead. You can sign up to join our newsletter here!
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Think Academy’s Classes
We offer numerous different math courses for children in grades K-8. We have short-term math classes that can help improve your child’s fundamental math skills. These courses last only about a couple weeks.
In addition, we also have K-8 long-term classes to ensure that students master the math material in their respective grades. These semester-long courses are available in three different levels (Advancement, Mastery, ACE) to account for all learning speeds!
As for students who want to take their math skills to the next level. Think Academy provides math competition prep classes for events such as the AMC 8 and Math Kangaroo!
Check out one of our teachers in action!
You can register for any of our classes by clicking the link to our courses page here.
1-on-1 Evaluation
Lastly, before you register for our long-term courses. Make sure to schedule a free 1-on-1 evaluation if you have not already! Think Academy’s 1-on-1 evaluation contains an overview of our mission and academic structure, a 15-question evaluation exam, a one hour in-depth analysis, and a 15-minute teacher-to-parent discussion. After the evaluation, a customized study plan will be provided so that all of your child’s learning needs are met!
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