Learn Mental Math Techniques

Mental math is the process of doing mathematical calculations in your head without using paper, calculators, computers, or other devices. It includes addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, and much more.

Mental math is a fun skill that can be useful in school studies and life.

You can also learn more about mental math tricks and strategies by joining our free mental calculation forum.

Join the Mental Calculation Forum

Mental Math Resources and Discussions

Here are some articles and discussions about mental math techniques:

• How to Calculate the Day from Any Date -- If someone asks you "what day of the week was March 14th, 1879?" (Einstein's birthday) would you be able to mentally calculate that it was a Friday? This article will show you how to do it!
• Learn the Trachtenberg System of Mental Calculation -- Get started with the popular Trachtenberg System for mental math.
• Vedic Mathematics -- This article has information about the book, Vedic Mathematics by Bharati Krishna Tirthaji.
• Printable Mental Math Worksheets -- Free worksheets to help you with mental calculation.
• Calculating 10^0.1 , 10^0.2, 10^0.3 etc. -- How does one mentally calculate 10^0.1, 10 ^0.2, etc. without a calculator or computer?
• How to calculate logarithms by hand -- Just for fun, let's calculate all logarithms from scratch.
• How do you calculate higher powers of numbers? -- Just for fun, how would you calculate higher powers in your head?
• Looking for a Mental Math Training App -- Are there any good training apps for mental math?
• Which is greater? a^b or b^a? -- Find the answer here.
• Secrets of Mental Math -- Learn about the book Secrets of Mental Math by Arthur Benjamin and Michael Shermer.
• Duplex method for squaring numbers very quickly -- Here is an example of the current world record holder Shashank Jain taking 10 square roots just a little over 1 minute!
• Mentally calculating logarithms -- This is one of the key skills in mental calculation.
• Soroban and flash anzan -- A couple of members have asked about the soroban and flash anzan training.
• Soroban and Anzan -- "I'm looking for training software, structured curriculum for soraban and a simple talking app and/or visual app that I can use for Anzan."
• Is Anyone Using Kaktovik Iñupiaq Numerals to Speed up Their Math? -- From the outside looking in, it seems that Kaktovik Iñupiaq numerals 302 could really speed up pen-and-paper math and possibly mental calculation, too.
• The Fastest and most Efficient Methods of Mental Math. -- I was wondering if there are more efficient and faster methods to do mental calculations.
• How can I start mental calculating? -- What is the best book to start?
• Learning multiplication tables revisited -- Some people on the forum want to memorize multiplication tables.
• Help choosing a system for mental math -- I'm looking for a system that allows for rapid multiplication of large numbers (maybe up to 4 x 4) and computation of square roots (and perhaps other fractional powers), and I'd like to do this without looking at written numbers for reference. I'd also (ideally) like the number to be produced from left to right, if possible.
• How to Use Sherlock's Mind Palace -- Mind palaces can help you store long numbers in your mind.
• How to Memorize Numbers with a Memory Palace -- Number memorization techniques can help you hold longer numbers in your mind while you're calculating.
• Mental Math Apps -- Check out some tools that you can use to train your mental calculation skills.