From the earliest years of school, a math teacher assigns students an exercise that requires more concentration, dedication and mental effort than many others: mental arithmetic. This is a very useful method that can effectively improve students' performance. Even if the vast majority of people today have a smartphone, there are situations when there is no device to perform the necessary calculations. Revisiting the basic concepts of mental arithmetic can help you get out of a difficult situation during a test, such as on the day of an entrance exam, and also save time and train your mind in everyday life.
Benefits of Mental Calculus
Mental arithmetic brings many undeniable benefits to our daily lives, whether you are a student or a professional. Mental calculus can be used in several ways: it trains the concept of magnitude of operations, which is very important, for example, when learning decimals or proportions.Finally, mental computing helps you structure your mind to start thinking, reflecting, stimulating your memory, your analytical and synthesis skills.
Although it may not seem like it at first glance, it also has a strong gaming aspect: a great opportunity for those who enjoy math challenges, be it logic games, puzzles, playing with Legos or a Rubik's Cube. By doing calculations in your head, you force your neurons to work and have fun at the same time! In fact, you are doing math and don't even realize it.
How to learn to count in your head?
In all cases, daily and constant practice of mental calculations of about ten minutes a day is sufficient. There's no point in spending hours memorizing formulas; your brain just needs constant, regular practice to make calculations as natural as riding a bike or even breathing.
Mental arithmetic can be practiced both orally and in writing, and you can use supports and resources such as a notepad, notes, flashcards, apps on your phone.
It is important to remember all the mechanisms and techniques that you used to achieve certain results: this will be useful to you for the rest of your life. Or maybe it will make you a good math student and, who knows, an expert?
Here are some key resources to help you in this endeavor:
- Addition and multiplication tables;
- Knowledge of square numbers up to 15 (=225), as well as powers;
- Technique of multiplication by powers of 10 with negative exponents (the decimal point must be moved to the left) and positive exponents (the decimal point must be moved to the right);
- Using the "divide by a number = multiply by its reciprocal" property (for example, dividing by 0.25 is equal to multiplying by 4)
- Remarkable works: (a+b) = a + 2ab + b, (a – b) = a – 2ab + b, (a+b) (a – b) = a – b.
- Studying the rules of factoring;
- Knowledge of order of magnitude.
Another tip is to start taking private math lessons if possible. Your teacher will be able to give you a lot of advice and support.
The study found that the human brain has a memory capacity of 1 petabyte (the same as 10 15 in the International System of Units). But with so many new things popping up every day, you need to have enough structure to integrate it all into your math classes. It certainly takes time, dedication, work, patience and motivation, but the results will surprise you and last a lifetime!
This is why it is so important to repeat and practice mental calculation and applied mathematics techniques. Review your basic or advanced math course, re-read your books, talk to your classmates, teacher, parents, and don't forget to have fun learning!
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