How to Improve Maths Calculation Skill

Establishing good basic calculation skills makes all areas of math easier and quicker. Calculating sums in your head can save vital time in exams, but it's not always easy to do those sums in your head. Edit Steps 1 Start easy . Don't jump straight in there trying to work out what 235433×95835.344 equals, if you can do that you don't need to read this. Start with really easy addition and subtraction, even if it is patronizing, make sure you can do them quickly. 2 Learn the multiplication tables and find the patterns in them . Knowing the patterns will make multiplication and division of largernumbers much simpler. Repeat these until you can recite them backwards and randomlyat anytime. write up to the 12 times table everyday once. 3 Visualise what you are doing . Whether you imagine writing the sum out, or count objects, visualising the calculation can make iteasier to solve. 4 Use your fingers . Learn to count to 99 on your fingers and then use this to "store" the number so you don't worry about forgetting about it while calculating a different part of the calculation. 5 Learn shortcuts . There are a lot of these and can make calculations much easier. Look on the internet or ask your teacher to see if there are any shortcut methods for the calculation (or part of the calculation) you aretrying to do. 6 Practise regularly . Give yourself a few calculations to do each day, starting easy and gradually getting harder. 7 Don't give up too soon . It will take time to get good at calculations. Persevere and don't reach for the calculator too soon. 8 Challenge yourself . Once you can do the basics quickly and easily give yourself challenges. Stretch your abilities and aim to do the calculations as quickly and accurately as possible. 9 Don't be afraid to reach for a calculator to check your answer if you're unsure . There are very few non-exam/school situations where you will be required to work without a calculator and if you find you're getting them right this will help build confidence. Edit Tips Perseverance is key. This will take practice, so don't give up too soon