Mind-Blowing Math Teaching Methods

The importance of math in the present world can never be denied. Evading math is not an option at all. So, for teachers or parents who feel that math is not their child’s forte, the smart choice would be to change the way they look at the subject. For a start, the right question to ask would be “Is there a new method for teaching math?” Every child’s learning style is unique. The goal is to help the child understand this learning style and use it to their advantage. Here are a few different teaching strategies for math that will help children calculate easily and quickly during examinations. Be it for your child or your students, the different teaching methods used in math will push them to effortlessly apply what they learn. Providing more tools for similar operations in math helps in handling practical situations efficiently as well. So, let’s take a look at a few lesser-known math teaching methods and a few math fun facts and tricks.^1,2,3,4 Some of the tricks are meant for advanced grades; you can always come back here and learn them once you are ready. If understanding math is an issue that you are facing, you may want to check out this article here.

Math Fun Facts and Tricks

Trick 1

Out of the complete set of math teaching methods, the first few we will be discussing are relatively well known by most. This can be used mostly while teaching multiplication tables. The product of the numbers stays the same irrespective of the order in which they are multiplied with each other. For instance,

Example: 3 x 2 = 6 and 2 x 3 = 6

Trick 2

Another easy method to learn multiplication tables is to relate them to other operations such as addition. In case you forget the multiplication table of the numbers multiplied by two, all you need to do is add the number itself. Similarly, if you forget the multiplication table for four, here’s what you should do. Double the given number twice. In other words, if you need to find what is four times the result of a given number, just add the number to itself four times. If you want to find out the value of a number multiplied by eight, then you need to double the given number three times. In other words, add the number by itself eight times.

Example: 7 x 2 = 14 and 7+7 = 14

7 x 4 = 28 and 7+7=14 and 14+ 14 = 28.

7 x 8 = 56 and 7+7=14, 14+ 14 = 28, 28+28 = 56

Trick 3

This math learning method may be familiar to you as well. To obtain the answer to any number multiplied by 10, just attach the number followed by a zero. If asked to multiply a number with 1000, attach the three zeros to the end of the given number. In simple words, here’s what you should do when asked to multiply any number with another that has one followed by a certain number of zeros. Write the given number followed by the same number of zeros of the multiple of 10. Consider the following example to understand this better.

Example:

3 x 10 = 30

4 x 1000 = 4000

If you are multiplying a number by 20, double the number first and then attach a zero to the end.

7 x 20= 140 ( 7+7= 14 and after attaching a zero to the end, we get 140)

Trick 4

Now, here’s a method to learn the tables of nine. In case a child forgets the value of the product of two numbers, they can use this technique. To find the result of a number multiplied with 9, multiply the number with 10 first, and then reduce the number from it. In math, there are different teaching methods that can be used while learning multiplication. Some children find one method easier than the other. Providing these options for the children is what needs to be done.

9 x 8 = 72 ( 8 x 10 = 80 – 8 = 72)

Trick 5

By now, it is evident that there is not just one method to learn tables. Let’s take a break from multiplication for a while. Here are a few math learning methods that will help you with addition. Addition is a simple operation, but when dealing with numbers with more digits, the task can be time-consuming. However, there is a simple trick you may use. Let’s recall a few basic facts before we talk about the trick.

7, 8, 9 are close to 10

21, 22, 23 are close to 20

67, 68, 69, are close to 70

97, 98, 99, are close to 100 …, and so on.

If we have to add two numbers, namely 39 and 47, we can round them off to their nearest multiples of 10, which are 40 and 50. We are aware that one is the number that gives us 40 when added to 39. We are also aware that 3 is the number that gives us 50 when added to 47. Let’s find the sum of the numbers that round them to their nearest multiples of 10.

1+3 = 4

Next, we add the numbers that are rounded off, and this gives us the following result.

40+50 = 90

Deducting 4 from 90 gives us the answer as 86. This is the answer we are looking for. With some practice, you can add two-digit numbers much more quickly than before.

Trick 6

Now, let’s try something more complex. Here’s a math learning method that you can use when you have to add multiple numbers. It is based on the previous technique we discussed.

For example, suppose we have the following question, 223 + 365 + 47 + 18 = ?

According to Vedic math, we should break the numbers according to their place values, So, we’ll divide the addition into two parts:

200 + 300 = 500

20 + 60 +40 +10 = 130

3 + 5 +7 + 8= 23

Repeat the process:

500 + 100 = 600

30 + 20 = 50

And at the unit’s place, we have 3.

Now, calculate 600 + 50 + 3 = 653

Trick 7

From this point on, the math teaching techniques are relatively advanced. But these techniques will save time when compared to the traditional ones. If asked to multiply any number between 11 and 19, there is an easy calculation that will give you the results faster. We are asked to multiply 13 and 15. We already know that the product of these numbers is 195. But here’s a quicker way to obtain the answer⏤all you need is practice. First, we add one of the two numbers to the unit’s place digit of the other number. We will take 13 and 5 for now.

13+5 = 18

Next, multiply this number that we just obtained by 10, which gives us 180.

Multiply the unit place of both the numbers, which is 15. Finally, add 180 and the number we obtained by multiplying the units place numbers with 180. This gives us:

180 + 15= 195

So, 195 is the answer.

Trick 8

Another time-consuming mathematical operation is multiplying three-digit numbers. Here’s another unique math teaching method that after practice will give you the answer to the product of two three-digit numbers in a few minutes.

You wish to find the product of 302 and 304. First, we remove the unit’s place digit from the given numbers.

302- 2 = 300  (a)

304- 4= 700

Let’s call this step (a). Keep these numbers aside for now. Now, take one of the two numbers and add the unit’s digit to the other number.

302+4 =306 (b)

This is step (b). Now, we will multiply the results of steps (a) and (b). This gives us the result as,

300 x 306 = 91800 (c)

For the next step, let’s calculate the product of the units digit of both these numbers.

4 x 2 = 8 (d)

Now, for the last step, we will add steps (c) and (d).

92400+ 8= 92408

This result is also the product of 302 and 304. Now, why don’t you try this technique out with a few numbers?

Trick 9

Here’s another method you can use to find the square of any two-digit number. Instead of multiplying it with itself, here’s a simpler way. First, choose a base number close to the given number. If we are considering the number 98, our base number is 100.

First, we find the difference between the number and its base

98-100= -2

Next, we add the difference to the original number

98 +(-2) = 96

Now, we multiply the base with this number, which gives us

96 x 100 = 9600

We will now add this result to the square of the difference

9600 + (-2)² = 9600 + 4 = 9604

The result we have is the square of 98. Try this trick for a few other numbers as well.

With a bit of practice, you can master this method and do your calculations quickly. With a bit of practice, teachers can upgrade their arsenal of math teaching techniques that help the variety of students they teach. Take a look at Byju’s FutureSchool Blog to find out more math fun facts and tricks that can help you and your children. 

References:

1. Brown, G. I. (n.d.). U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION & WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO OUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIG INATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPIN IiNS STATED DO NOT NECESSARIL Y REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDU CATION POSITION OR POLICY 4 CURRICULUM GUIDE PURE NUMBER COURSE Section FExtended Study of Basic Mathematical Ideas Using the Numbers to 144 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS COPY RIGHTED MA TER1AL. HAS BEEN GRANTED.https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED064048.pdf 
2. 10 Math Tricks That Will Blow Your Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www.thoughtco.com/math-tricks-that-will-blow-your-mind-4154742 
3. 12 Maths Tricks for Quick Calculations | Maths MagicTricks | Examples. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://byjus.com/maths/maths-tricks/ 
4. Math Tricks For Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www.playosmo.com/kids-learning/math-tricks-for-kids/