Archive for October, 2007

Mental Division - the denominator approach

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

There are many ways to solve and simplify a math problem. A simple math division can also be done differently mentally. It boils down to which is the suitable approach at that time. It also depends on one's preference in solving the math question. To review mental division using numerator approach, ...

Even and Odd Number Operations

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

There are certian rules to the mathematical operation of Odd and Even number.  The folllowings are pointers to take note: 1)   Odd + Odd = Even number 2)   Odd x Odd = Odd number 3)  Even + Even = Even number 4)  Even x Even = Even number 5)  Even x Odd = Even number 6)  Even + Odd ...

Mental Division

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

How is mental division done? Let's us do an example to illustrate: 40 / 7 Mental solution: Step 1: Break up as much as possible the original dividend 40 in term of 7  ==> (7 X 5) + 5 Step 2: Divide the answer in step 1 by original divisor 7 ==> (7 x 5 )/7   +   5/7  =  ...

Mental Multiplication of 2 digits by 2 digits

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Mentally multiplying one digit by one digit is simple (normally memorise answer). Mentally multiplying 2 digits by one digit?  Maybe OK. Principle of 2 digit by one digit mental multipication: Expand the 2 digit to include a 10's number. Example: 45 ==> 40 + 5 Let's do an example: 45 x 6 Mental solution: (40 + ...

Mental Squaring using (a - b) (a + b) approach

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Of the 3 approaches in mental number squaring, this approach is more conceptual. See an overview of the 3 approaches here. Principle:  (a - b) (a + b) = a2 - b2 But note that "b" is the difference to make the original number go to a 10's. Example: 34 ==> a = 34 ...

Mental Squaring using (a - b)^2 approach

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

In this (a - b)2 approach to mental number squaring, the concept is to split the original number to one having 10's. It is similar to the ( a + b)2 approach but differs in the expanded expression. Principle: (a - b)2 = a2 - 2ab + b2 Example: 342 Step 1: Split 34 ...