Do you feel that math is the most challenging and boring subject? Are you finding difficulty in solving math problems? However, using math tricks to solve math problems can excite and interest you, boosting your confidence.
With the right math tricks and shortcuts, you can solve a problem within seconds that once took a long time, improve accuracy, speed, and boost confidence in solving math problems. Whether you are preparing for the academic exams or competitive exams like Olympiads, or just want to play interesting math games, such as math puzzles, with your friends, this blog is for you.
In this blog, let us explore the math tricks, math tricks shortcuts, math trick questions, and answers with Vedic Maths and mental math techniques.
Key Takeaways
- Math tricks help students overcome the fear of math and boredom.
- Math tricks can solve problems faster and easier and save calculating time.
- Quick calculation shortcuts save time, such as multiplying by 5, 9, or 11, squaring numbers ending in 5, and estimation hacks.
- Mental math techniques improve calculation speed and accuracy, and are helpful in academics, real-life situations, and competitive exams.
- Long multiplications and divisions can be solved within seconds using vedic sutras and mental math techniques like Nikhilam Navatashcaramam Dashatah sutra, Vertically and Crosswise method, etc
- Math techniques help students reduce calculation mistakes, increase their calculation speed, and boost their confidence.
- Vedic Maths can be learned by anyone aged 8, such as students, parents, teachers, professionals, etc., to make calculations easy in everyday life.
- Speed and accuracy will improve with consistently practicing Vedic Maths techniques and Mental Math tricks.
- Math tricks can be practiced through free math worksheets, puzzle books, apps, etc.
- Learn Vedic Maths techniques and mental math tricks through live classes and the Vedic Maths Bundle Kit.
1. Introduction: Why Math Tricks Are a Game-Changer
Math tricks are not just shortcuts to solve math problems; they also improve your math calculation speed and accuracy. Think you are planning a budget to celebrate your friend's birthday, surprisingly, or sitting in a restaurant and splitting a bill among your friends within seconds, you did the calculations without using a calculator. Your friends feel like it's magic.
These Math techniques are helpful for students, professionals, competitive exam aspirants, parents, and teachers.
According to NCERT guidelines and the Cambridge math curriculum, increasing mental agility builds strong math proficiency. It simplifies complex math problems into smaller and easier calculations. These mental math techniques help in academics and real-life situations like budgeting, planning, attempting competitive exams, etc.
2. Quick Mental Math Tricks for Everyday Calculations
When you know how and when to apply the right math trick, any problem that requires a lengthy procedure can be solved within a few steps and in seconds.
Here are a few mental math tricks for everyday calculations:
1) Trick for multiplication by 5 - Multiply by 10 and divide by 2
For example, 57 x 5 = (57 x 10 ) ÷ 2 = 570 ÷ 2 = 285
2) Trick for multiplying by 9 - Multiply the number by 10, then subtract the original number.
For example, 87 x 9 = (87 x 10) - 87 = 870 - 87 = 783
3) Trick for multiplying by 11 - For a 2-digit number, add the digits and place the sum in between.
For example ,
Multiply 67 x 11
Add the two digits 6 + 7 = 13.
Place the last digit of the sum (3) in the middle: 637.
Then, add (carry over) the first digit of the sum (1) to the first digit of the original number: (6+1)37.
The answer is 737.
(if the sum is more than 9, carry over the extra digit )
4) Squaring numbers ending with 5
Take the first digit, multiply by the following consecutive number, then append 25.
For Example, 35² = 3 x 4 = 12 append 25 = 1225
For 35², multiply the first digit (3) by the following consecutive number (4), to get 12, and append 25 to get 1225.
5) Estimation hacks for real-life use
- Round off the number to 10 or 100, do the math, and adjust the difference
- For example,
- Multiply 106 x 113 using base multiplication
- Both the numbers are near to base 100. So,
- 106 can be written as 100 + 6
- 113 can be written as 100 + 13
- Step 1: Cross-add 106 + 13 = 119
- Step 2: Multiply the differences 6 x 13 = 78
- Step 3: Now combine both the results 11,978
3. Multiplication Shortcuts That Save Time
Whether competitive exams or everyday calculations, the right math tricks and shortcuts help you solve the problem quickly and save time. The most used math operation in daily life is multiplication.
Here are the few math techniques helpful for multiplication
1) Cross-multiplication trick - Multiplication of two-digit numbers
This technique is used to multiply two digits, like 13 x 66, quickly in the mind.
For example,
Let's multiply 13 x 66
Step 1: Multiply the unit digits -> 3 x 6 = 18 ( write 8, carry 1)
Step 2: Cross multiply and add -> (1 x 6 ) + (3 x 6) = 6+18= 24 +1 (Carried from step 1) = 25 (Write 5, carry 2)
Step 3: Multiply the ten's digit -> 1 x 6 = 6 +2 (Carried from step 2) = 8
Answer: 858
2) Vedic Maths "vertically and crosswise" method - Multiplication of any two-digit numbers
This technique is used to multiply any 2-digit x 2-digit
For example,
Multiply 64 x 78
Step 1: Vertically multiply unit digits -> 4 x 8 =32 (Write 2, carry 3)
Step 2: Crosswise multiply and add: (6 x 8) + (4 x 7) = 48 + 28 = 76. Now add the carry-over from step 1: 76 + 3 = 79. (Write 9, carry 7).
Step 3: Vertically multiply tens' digits -> 6 x 7 = 42 + 7(carry from step 2) = 49
Answer: 4,992
Interesting?
Read the Vedic Maths multiplication blog to learn more about the multiplication techniques.
4. Addition & Subtraction Speed Hacks
Using fast Maths tricks, anyone can perform additions and subtractions of large numbers within seconds. These tricks help with fast calculations and boost pattern recognition.
Here are a few simple addition and subtraction math tricks
1. Adding numbers in pairs to make 10
Pairing numbers to make 10 helps in calculating quickly without stress.
For example,
6+4+5+3+7 -> 6+4 = 10, 7+3 = 10 -> 10+5+10=25
This helps in performing addition to long listing numbers mentally.
2. Left-to-right subtraction method
Instead of subtracting from the unit place, subtract from the left; it is a faster technique for many problems.
For example,
Subtract 973 - 634
- Subtract hundreds: 900-600 = 300
- Subtract tens: 70-30 = 40
- Subtracting one's 3-4 = -1
- Combine the results : 300 + 40 -1 = 339
Answer: 339
3. Mental balancing technique
Instead of direct subtraction, adjust the numbers to perform easily and quickly.
For example,
Subtract 1008 - 498
- Add 2 to both numbers -> 1010 - 500 = 510
This avoids confusion in borrowing and makes subtraction fast.
These mental math tricks not only make fast calculations, but also reduce mistakes by simple steps.
To learn more about mental math techniques, read Mental Math for Kids: an ultimate guide to fast, fear-free calculations.
5. Math Tricks for Competitive Exams
Competitive exams such as UPSC, MBA, JEE, SSC, CGL, CAT, SAT, Olympiads, Banking, and Railway, etc., require solving tricky math problems within time limits. Mastering math tricks helps save time and improve accuracy.
Let's learn a few Maths shortcut tricks that help in competitive exams
1) Percentage problems tricks
Instead of using long formulas and lengthy calculations, use fractions to calculate percentages quickly.
For example,
Find 25% of 280
25% can be written as 1/4 -> 280 / 4 = 70
Try yourself: What is 50% of 374?
2) LCM & HCF trick methods
To find LCM and HCF of small numbers, use the prime factorization shortcut
For example,
What is the LCM of 12 and 18?
- 12 = 2² × 3
- 18 = 2 × 3²
- LCM = 2² × 3² = 36
LCM of 12,18 is 36
For large numbers, use the division method to avoid long steps
Practicing these math tricks and shortcuts daily can improve your calculation speed and accuracy, reduce stress, boost confidence, and help you score high in competitive exams.
Learn more math tricks from the blog Ultimate Guide to Math Tricks and Shortcuts.
6. Math Trick Questions with Answers (Practice Section)
Want to test your math skills?
Here are a few fun trick-based problems with step-by-step solutions
Try these math trick questions without a calculator.
1. Multiply any number by 25
For example, Multiply 35 x 25 within seconds
- Since 25 can be written as 100/4, multiply the right side number by 100 and divide it by 4
- 35 x 100 = 3500 / 4 = 875
Answer: 35 x 25 = 875
Try yourself: 45 x 25
2. Multiply 99 x 99 without long multiplication
- Use base 100 multiplication
- Add 1 to the right side number and make it 100.
- Now multiply 100 x 99 = 9900
- Subtract 99 from the result
- 9900 - 99 = 9801
Answer : 99 x 99 = 9801
Try yourself: 49 x 49
Note: Base can be 25,50,100, 250, etc...
3. 25 % of 840
- Simplify the number
- 25 % means 1/4 of the number
- So 25% ->1 / 4 -> 840 / 4 = 210
Answer: 25 % of 840 is 210
Try yourself: 25 % of 640
4. Square of 65
- Any number ending with 5 has the last part of the answer is 25 ( 5 x 5 = 25)
- Multiply the first digit by its consecutive number-> 6 x 7 = 42 (First part of the answer)
- Now combine both the parts.
Answer: 4225
Try yourself: Square of 75
5. Half of 1/4 of 400
- 1/4 of 400 can be written as 400 / 4 = 100.
- Half of 100 is 50.
Answer: 1/4 of 400 is 50
Try yourself: Half of 1/4 of 600
6. The product of two numbers is 104, and one is 13. What is the other number?
- Let's say A x 13 = 104
- A= 104 / 13 = 8
Answer: The other number is 8
Try yourself: The product of two numbers is 119, and one is 17. What is the other number?
7. My tens digit is two more than my ones digit, and their sum is 10
- Let T in ten's place and O in one's place.
- T = O + 2
- T + O = 10
- O + O +2 = 10
- 2 O= 10-2 = 8
- O = 8 / 2 = 4
- T= O + 2 = 4 + 2 = 6
Answer = 64
Try yourself: My tens digit is twice my ones digit, and their sum is 12.
To practice more such math trick problems, download our free worksheets.
7. How to Teach These Tricks to Students (The Vedic Maths Way)
Teaching math tricks and shortcut methods is easy when you understand them in-depth and know when and how to apply them.
7.1 Step-by-step guidance for teaching
- Asking children which technique can be used here will build curiosity about topics with real-world applications, such as budgeting, splitting, etc.
- Teach one technique at a time with a practical example.
- Use number lines, flashcards, charts, etc., to teach shortcuts easily.
- Discuss common mistakes every student makes and tell them to correct them, which helps in error analysis and building a deeper understanding.
- Practice the problems with various difficulty levels by changing the values.
7.2 How tricks build confidence in children
- Pattern recognition - Tricks help students spot the pattern between numbers and improve problem-solving.
- Self-check - Tricks empower students to cross-check their answers without a calculator.
- Improve mindset - Speed and accuracy improve math skills and interest in learning math tricks and shortcuts.
- Quick success - Quick success, such as solving a problem within seconds, solving a problem without error, or improving the time taken to calculate, boosts confidence and reduces math anxiety.
7.3 Vedic Maths sutras and resources for deeper learning
Once the students can understand the math shortcut tricks, teach Vedic Maths sutras slowly and have them practice daily.
Ekadhikena Purvena - By One More than the Previous One. This is useful for finding the square of any number ending with the digit 5, osculators, and subtraction.
Nikhilam Navatashcaramam Dashatah - All From Nine, and Last From Ten. This is useful as a base method for numbers near powers of 10.
Urdhva–Tiryagbhyam - Vertically and Crosswise. This is useful for multiplication, especially two-digit multiplication, division, fractions, equations, and squares.
Paravartya Yojayet - Transpose and Apply. This is useful for division of numbers, more than the base, and equations.
Ekanyunena Purvena - By One Less than the Previous One. This is useful in multiplication, especially for numbers ending with 9,99,999, etc., osculators, and subtraction.
Sankalana Vyavakalanabhyam - By Addition and By Subtraction. This is useful when the problem can be solved either by addition or subtraction, depending on which approach makes the calculation fast. It also applies to alternate remainders in division and simultaneous linear equations.
Refer to the blog 16 Vedic Math Sutras to learn more about the Vedic Math sutras.
8. Vedic Maths Courses to Learn All the Shortcuts
Learn more math tricks and shortcuts using Vedic Maths that help you to solve math problems within seconds and 5-10 times faster than traditional math methods. The Vedic Maths courses are designed by Mamta Rupesh, a certified Vedic Maths teacher with 8+ years of experience, who has trained 15,000+ students, 5,000+ parents, and teachers to date. Anyone can learn Vedic Maths from the age of 8.
8.1 Live Vedic Maths Classes
Join our 40-day live Vedic Maths program designed for Grades 3–12.
What can you expect from the Live Class?
- Vedic Maths techniques
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- Real-time practice with real-time problems
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The Vedic Maths Bundle Kit is designed for teachers, parents, and competitive exam aspirants.
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Enroll in our Vedic Maths Bundle Kit today and kick-start your math learning journey. Prepare for competitive exams or teach kids math in a fun and interactive way.
Download free math worksheets that contain Vedic Math techniques, mental math problems, math puzzles, etc.
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9. FAQs on Math Tricks
1What is the easiest math trick?
The easiest math tricks are multiplication by 5, multiplication by 9, and squaring numbers ending with 5.
2How can I calculate faster without a calculator?
You can calculate faster using Vedic Math techniques and mental math shortcuts. For example, you can multiply two digits using the vertical and crosswise Vedic Math technique in seconds. Practice regularly to improve calculation speed and accuracy.
3Are Vedic Maths tricks different from regular math tricks?
Yes. Vedic Maths uses sutras and mental math shortcuts derived from ancient Indian scriptures to solve math problems within seconds. On the other hand, regular math tricks are general shortcuts that don’t contain any sutras or structured approaches and are developed through various math practices.
4Can these tricks help in competitive exams?
Yes. Vedic Maths tricks help manage time, accuracy, and speed in competitive exams. Vedic Maths shortcuts help in various math problems, such as percentages, squares, multiplication, division, etc.
5How do I teach these tricks to children?
Teach them simple and real-life examples such as sharing, distribution, etc. Use flash cards, number lines, math games, math riddles, simple everyday math quiz questions, brain teasers, Maths logic puzzles, which act as a brain exercise for the kids.
6At what age can kids start learning Vedic Maths?
From age 8 (Grade 3) onwards, kids can start learning Vedic Maths, which can build a strong math foundation and help them understand the math topics clearly.
7Is Vedic Maths practical only for students, or can adults also benefit?
Vedic Maths is helpful for everyone. It is not limited to only students. Parents, teachers, and even professionals can learn and use Vedic Maths. Students use it for their exams, parents and teachers use it to teach math easily to kids, and professionals can use it to plan budgets, plan meetings, etc.
8Can I self-learn math tricks or join a course?
Both. Maths tricks reduce long steps in calculation and reduce errors. With consistent practice, you can improve the speed and accuracy. Eventually, they boost your math confidence, too.
9Do these tricks improve accuracy, or only speed?
You can learn at your choice. You can use the Vedic Maths Bundle Kit to learn the tricks at your own pace or join our live classes to learn the Vedic Maths within 40 days.
10Where can I practice these math tricks regularly?
You can practice through free worksheets, math puzzle books, and math apps, join Live Vedic Maths, or use the Vedic Maths Bundle Kit, which comes with practical examples and solved questions.
