Mental Maths Strategies
Mental maths means calculating in your head without writing. Good strategies make mental calculations faster and more accurate.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Doubles and near-doubles: knowing 7+7=14 helps with 7+8=15
Compatible numbers add up to a round number, e.g. 6+4, 25+75
Bridging through 10: to add 8+5, think 8+2+3=13
Front-end estimation rounds numbers to the leading digit for a quick estimate
Key Vocabulary
Mental computation
Calculating the answer in your head without writing
Compatible numbers
Numbers that are easy to work with mentally, often adding to 10 or 100
Bridging
A strategy where you add up to a round number, then add the rest
Near doubles
Facts close to a double, like 6+7 = double 6 + 1
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Using bridging through 10: 7 + 6 = ?
Question 2
What is a good mental maths strategy for 25 + 37?
Question 3
99 + 47 = ?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Doubles and near-doubles: knowing 7+7=14 helps with 7+8=15
- ●Compatible numbers add up to a round number, e.g. 6+4, 25+75
- ●Bridging through 10: to add 8+5, think 8+2+3=13
- ●Front-end estimation rounds numbers to the leading digit for a quick estimate