Guide on Mental Math And Its Importance
Mental Math is a unique technique wherein problems with numbers require some special methods for a solution. Conventionally, you will use paper, pens, or calculators to solve any mathematics problem. However, mental mathematics uses specific techniques to reach the right solution. It helps school kids to understand numbers in a better and more advanced way.
There are many kids that fear mathematics. If you are a parent, you can see a positive difference when considering mental math tactics for your little one. Mental math can provide the much-needed support to the children to understand numbers well and everything associated with them. Our whole world revolves around mathematical calculations. Think about our daily life.
Some of the day-to-day math usages are the calculation of grocery price, comparison of the number of provisions to ascertain the value, distance calculation with respect to time and speed, currency conversion, and many more. However, with digital technology, the advancement assistance of gadgets for doing these simple math calculations is increasing.
Importance of mental mathematics
Mental arithmetic is one of the primary skills that everybody must have and use daily in routine activities. The ability to picture numbers in the head and calculate helps the kids exercise the left side of the brain, and in the process, it builds their cognitive skills. You can introduce mental math skills to your kid from an early age – when they start recognizing numbers and learn to count.
The skill to imagine numbers in mind and then use them in everyday life activates the brain and increases innovation, problem-solving ability, and concentration.
Tricks to stimulate the brain with numbers
- Use of flashcards: Flashcards are one of the best methods to teach and remember anything. Repeated use of these cards helps to train the brain. Hence, children will be able to learn and remember basic mathematics like timetables.
- Number target: You can try this by setting a target number and playing around with it to practice addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. For example, you suggest the number 5 and ask the kid to tell possible additions to reach the target number 10. You can gradually tweak the combination numbers depending on the caliber of your child.
- Double and Half: One of the best techniques to learn multiplication and division is using the method of doubles and halves. Suggest a number to your kid and ask them to tell the double or half of it – this is a fun approach to stimulating their mind and teaching arithmetic.
- Brain teasers: Introduce simple puzzles that contain numbers lie crosswords, sudoku, and riddles that help train the mind. The basic puzzles are brain teasers that support brain tuning to solve number problems.
- Logical thinking: Extend the mathematical exercise of your kids to a logical thinking level by trying word problems. This level of practice is ideal when the child is good with basic mental mathematics. Use a combination of problems like the conversion of units and solving multiplication or division.
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