Mental Math Tutorials

Welcome to our comprehensive and ever growing collection of free mental math techniques.

So you want to get a head for figures? When you're done with these tutorials, you'll be calculating with ease.

For best results, we recommend you follow the lessons in sequence, starting with basic addition.

1. Mental Addition - How to add up numbers in your head the easy way. This section starts at the very beginning, covering the number system and the basics of counting numbers. You'll then progress step-by-step from simple addition right up to adding large numbers in your head.

2. Mental Subtraction - How to mentally subtract numbers of any size. This section will teach you everything you need to know about taking away. You'll be introduced to the basic concept of subtracting, then learn the fundamental process of subtracting single digits. From there you'll easily subtract bigger numbers in your head, and learn a particularly useful phrase for handling all kinds of subtractions.

3. Mental Multiplication - How to multiply numbers easily without a calculator. Find out exactly what multiplication is, then learn a few basic techniques. From there it's on to the famous multiplication tables, where you'll learn new ways to think about the various tables, making remembering them much easier. Then you'll progress onto the methods for multiplying larger numbers.

4. Mental Division - Learn the easy ways to divide numbers without a paper or pencil (or electronic friend). This section lets you understand what division is, how it relates to other skills of basic arithmetic, how to divide single digits, how to deal with remainders, and how to perform the wonderful long division.

5. Fractions & Decimals - Find out how to perform the most common types of fraction calculations, as they're used in mental math. Suitable for fraction beginners, this tutorial covers all the basics from understanding what fractions are, to figuring fractions in your head. Lots of tips and clear examples to help turn fear of fractions into fun and understanding.

6. Percentages - How to figure any percentage in your head. Start with the beginner's guide, advance to common percentages, then learn combinational techniques. Within a few easy lessons you'll be able to calculate perfect percentages every time.

7. Time - How to get your head around the mathematics of time. Starting from the basics, learn how to convert from one unit of time to another. Brush up on your 24-hour clock skills, master time subtraction, then learn a range of practical time-related mental math techniques of particular use in the real world.