The ability to perform mental calculations quickly and accurately is a valuable skill that can make children's daily lives easier. When it comes to addition and subtraction, having effective mental calculation strategies can save time, improve understanding of numbers, and strengthen overall math skills.
It is therefore necessary for children to practice mental calculation from an early age, becoming familiar with numbers, operations, and their properties. Thus, it is essential that calculation skills are developed so that the expected results can be achieved.
Next, we will mention four strategies that can be used to perform calculations mentally.
Addition
Let's say we want to calculate the sum 32 + 45 .
- The first term is initially increased by a multiple of 10, then the remaining part is added:
32 + 40 = 72 and 72 + 5 = 77, therefore 32 + 45 = 77
- The first term is initially added to an approximate number of the second term, corresponding to a multiple of 10, and then the result is adjusted:
32 + 50 = 82 and 82 – 5 = 77, therefore 32 + 45 = 77
- The first addend is added to a number corresponding to a part of the second addend, so that a multiple of 10 is obtained, and then the remaining part is added:
32 + 8 = 40 and 40 + 37 = 77, therefore 32 + 45 = 77
- Numbers are broken down into place values, and tens are grouped with tens and units with units:
30 + 40 = 70 and 2 + 5 = 7, therefore 32 + 45 = 70 + 7 = 77
Subtraction
This time, we want to calculate the difference 82 – 56 .
- From the first addend, a multiple of 10 is initially subtracted, then the remaining part is subtracted:
82 – 50 = 32 and 32 – 6 = 26, therefore 82 – 56 = 26
- From the first addend, an approximate number is initially subtracted from the second addend, corresponding to a multiple of 10, and then the result is adjusted:
82 – 60 = 22 and 22 + 4 = 26, therefore 82 – 56 = 26
- From the first addend, a number corresponding to a part of the second addend is subtracted, so that a multiple of 10 is obtained, and then the remaining part is subtracted:
82 – 2 = 80 and 80 – 54 = 26, therefore 82 – 56 = 26
- Numbers are broken down into place values, and tens are grouped with tens and units with units:
80 – 50 = 30 and 2 – 6 = – 4, therefore 82 – 56 = 30 – 4 = 26
Conclusion
In conclusion, mental calculation strategies for addition and subtraction can help make calculations faster, more accurate, and more efficient.
Throughout this article, we present some interesting and effective strategies to help with mental calculations, both for addition and subtraction.
Above all, with practice and dedication, children can better exercise their reasoning skills, which will be a valuable ability throughout their lives.
Have you ever used these mental calculation strategies? Have you taught these methods to younger people?
Tell us all about it in the comments.
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