How To Do Better Calculations In Your Head
Being able to do quick mental math calculations can be a useful skill in many areas of life, from calculating the tip on a restaurant bill to making quick business decisions. While some people are naturally good at mental math, most of us can benefit from some tips and tricks to improve our skills. Here are some strategies you can use to do better calculations in your head.
Round Numbers
One of the easiest ways to do quick mental math is to round numbers. For example, if you need to calculate 27 x 13, you could round 27 to 30 and 13 to 10, which would give you 300 as the approximate answer. You could then adjust for the difference by subtracting 3 x 13 from the total (which is 39), giving you a final answer of 351.
Break Numbers Down
Breaking numbers down into smaller components can also make mental math easier. For example, if you need to calculate 46 x 5, you could break 46 down into 40 + 6 and then multiply each part by 5. This would give you 200 (40 x 5) and 30 (6 x 5), which you could add together to get a final answer of 230.
Use Known Facts
Using known facts can also help with mental math. For example, if you know that 7 x 7 = 49, you can use that fact to calculate 7 x 8. Since 8 is one more than 7, the answer would be 49 + 7, which is 56.
Use Shortcuts
There are many shortcuts that can make mental math easier. For example, if you need to calculate a percentage, you could multiply the number by 10 and then divide by 2. So, to calculate 20% of 50, you could multiply 50 by 10 (which is 500) and then divide by 2 (which is 250). This gives you the answer of 10.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Like any skill, mental math requires practice to improve. Try doing mental math exercises every day to build up your skills. You can find practice exercises online or create your own by picking a set of numbers and doing different calculations with them.
Use Visualization
Visualization can be a helpful tool for mental math. For example, if you need to calculate 9 x 7, you could visualize 9 as three groups of three and 7 as one group of seven. You could then add up the three groups of 21 to get 63, which is the answer.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions can make mental math more difficult, so try to do your calculations in a quiet place where you can concentrate. If you’re in a noisy environment, try using earplugs or headphones to block out the sound.
Break Down the Problem
If a problem seems too complicated to do in your head, try breaking it down into smaller parts. For example, if you need to calculate 143 x 27, you could break it down into (100 x 27) + (40 x 27) + (3 x 27). This would give you 2700 + 1080 + 81, which you could add together to get the answer of 3861.
Use Estimation
Estimation can be a helpful tool for mental math, especially if you’re trying to get a rough idea of a number. For example, if you need to calculate 63 x 15, you could estimate that 60 x 15 is 900 and then add 3 x 15 to get 945, which is a close approximation of the actual answer.
In conclusion, able to do quick mental math can be a valuable skill in many areas of life. By using these strategies, you can improve your ability to do calculations in your head. Whether you’re trying to calculate a tip, make quick business decisions, or just impress your friends, practicing mental math can help you become more efficient and confident with numbers.