The Good thing Mental Math

Aileen D. Macalintal

Mental math refers to the practice of doing calculations in your head. It is often used as a way to calculate an estimate quickly through the use of math facts that have been committed to memory, such as multiplication, division, or doubles facts. Students who practice mental math make calculations in their minds without the guidance of pencil and paperwork, calculators, or other aids. Mental math is an extremely common and practical skill, and most people do at least some mental math on a daily basis. Without the ability to do mental math, it can be difficult to complete ordinary daily tasks.

Students who master the technique of mental math will find that it helps them in many situations, both in school and outside of the classroom. They may use mental math to calculate how many video games they can buy with their weekly allowance or tally how much the snacks they grabbed from the corner store will cost before they walk up to the register.

In their studies, knowing mental math methods can help make new concepts easier to learn. Having even basic mental math skills means the student does not have to stop the process of problem solving to use a calculator, which is very useful when taking tests or completing homework assignments.

Certain students will be better at some forms of mental math than others. Some students may be able to easily add and subtract but may face difficulty dividing and multiply mentally, especially when large numbers are involved.

If your child struggles with all forms of mental math, it's important to discover the root of the problem. Does your child struggle in math class, even when a pencil, paper, and calculator are handy? Or does your child only struggle when figuring out equations in his or her head? Difficulty completing mental math problems may signal that your child hasn't mastered basic mathematical strategies. She may need extra help or someone to teach such concepts to her in a different way.

Most of the student having this mathematical ability enjoys learning more in advance and complicated problem solving. It is very helpful for the day by day living because mathematics is there everywhere. The good thing in mental math will give you easy computation, analyze better and apply it in best way.

The author is Teacher

--oOo-

III at Dapdap High School, Division of Tarlac Province