It seems like a simple suggestion, but a person may not fully understand the math problem he is trying to work on. It's important that you read the problem carefully and have a clear understanding of what the problem is asking for before you begin to try to solve it. All math problems require specific steps to solve correctly, so you must understand the problem and how to solve it before you can complete the steps to solve it.
For many, word math problems seem to be the most complicated. The first step in solving them is to convert the problem into a numeric equation. Once this has been completed, you'll have a clearer understanding of the steps you need to take to solve the equation. Look for key words and be sure to attach units of measure. If you're missing a portion of the equation, use "x" or "y" to signify the missing part. In this example, we're using this word problem: Nick has 25 pieces of bubble gum and Jenny has 42. If Nick chews 2 pieces and Jenny gives away 5 of her pieces, how many pieces of bubble gum do Nick and Jenny have together? Here's how we break it down: 25 + 42 = (25 -- 2) + (42 -- 5) = X. First do the problems within the parenthesis. 25 -- 2 = 23 and 42 -- 5 = 37. We then take 23 + 37, which equals 60. Nick and Jenny now have 60 pieces of bubble gum together.
A fast way to multiply by 10 is to place a 0 behind the number. For example, if multiplying 9 x 10, you would place a 0 behind 9, making it 90. This works for all multiples of 10. There is a similar rule for 11. When multiplying a 2 digit number by 11, try this. As an example, we'll use 26 x 11. Separate the 2 and the 6 and add the two numbers together to equal 8. Now place the answer between the original 2 and 6, so that the answer reads 286. 26 x 11 = 286. This trick works for all 2 digit multiples of 11.
The fastest way to multiply a number by 5 is to split the number in half and multiply by 10. For example, when multiplying 12 by 5, take 12 and divide it by 2, which equals 6. 6 x 10 = 60, thus you have your answer. 12 x 5 = 60.
When adding a one digit number with 9, subtract 1 from the opposite number and 1 in front of it. For example, if adding 9 plus 6, you would take 6 -- 1 = 5. Turn 5 into 15 and you have 9 + 6. To add 19 plus a two digit number that is less than 20, you can do something similar. Again, subtract 1 from the number you are trying to add to 19. In using the example of 19 + 12, we would take 12 -- 1 = 11. Mentally cross off the first digit (1) and replace with 3. Thus 19 +12 = 31. You can do this same trick going up by 10s. Adding numbers between 20 through 29, you would use 4 and so on.
To subtract a large number from 1,000, subtract all, but the last number, from 9. For example, if subtracting 348 from 1000, break 348 down. 9 -- 3 = 6, 9 -- 4 = 5. For the final digit, subtract from 10. 10 -- 8 = 2. Now put the answers together (652). 1000 -- 348 = 652.
Anytime you want to divide a large number by 5, multiply the number by 2 and move the decimal one digit to the left. For example, if taking 363 / 5, you would take 363 x 2, which equals 726. Move the decimal one digit to the left, making the answer 72.6.