2 mins read
10 Magical Math Tricks to Amaze and Teach Kids
I have prepared a list of 10 interesting and useful math tricks that kids can enjoy and learn maths at the same time. Here are these ten fun and easy math tricks for kids to make learning mathematics more enjoyable:
1. The 9 Times Table Trick
- How it works: Use your fingers to quickly multiply by 9.
- Hold out your ten fingers. To multiply 9 by any number (e.g., 4), fold down the 4th finger.
- Count fingers before the folded one (3) and after it (6). The result is 36 (9 × 4 = 36).
2. The Magic of 11
- How it works: Multiply two-digit numbers by 11 easily.
- Example: To multiply 23 by 11, add the digits (2 + 3 = 5) and place the result in between: 253.
3. Double and Halve Trick
- How it works: For easier multiplication, double one number and halve the other.
- Example: 16 × 25 → Double 16 (32) and halve 25 (12.5), then multiply: 32 × 12.5 = 400.
4. The Square of Numbers Ending in 5
- How it works: The square of any number ending in 5 always ends with 25. Multiply the first digit(s) by itself plus one.
- Example: 35² → 3 × (3 + 1) = 12 → 1225.
5. Subtracting from 100
- How it works: To subtract any number from 100, subtract each digit from 9 (except the last, subtract from 10).
- Example: 100 − 76 → (9 − 7 = 2) and (10 − 6 = 4), so the answer is 24.
6. Multiplying by 5 Quickly
- How it works: Divide the number by 2, then multiply by 10.
- Example: 24 × 5 → 24 ÷ 2 = 12 → 12 × 10 = 120.
7. Quickly Multiply Any Number by 11
- How it works: Split the number and add its digits.
- Example: 32 × 11 → Separate the digits: 3 and 2. Add them (3 + 2 = 5). Place the sum in the middle: 352.
8. Divisibility Rules
- How it works: Quickly check divisibility:
- Divisible by 2: Ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8.
- Divisible by 3: Sum of digits is divisible by 3.
- Divisible by 5: Ends in 0 or 5.
9. The Multiplication Finger Trick for 6–9
- How it works: Use your fingers to multiply numbers from 6 to 9.
- Label each finger as 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. To multiply 7 × 8, touch the 7th and 8th fingers. Count fingers touching and below (1 + 1 = 2) as tens, and count remaining fingers above as ones (3 × 2 = 6). The result is 56.
10. Magic Number 1089
- How it works: This trick works for any 3-digit number where the first digit is greater than the last.
- Reverse the digits and subtract (e.g., 532 − 235 = 297).
- Reverse the result (297 → 792) and add them together: 297 + 792 = 1089.