Mental calculations

There are 95 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Mental calculations
Ordering cards
problem

Ordering cards

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
This problem is designed to help children to learn, and to use, the two and three times tables.
How do you see it?
problem

How do you see it?

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Here are some short problems for you to try. Talk to your friends about how you work them out.
Fifteen cards
problem

Fifteen cards

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you use the information to find out which cards I have used?
Can you Make 100?
problem

Can you Make 100?

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
How many ways can you find to put in operation signs (+, −, ×, ÷) to make 100?
missing multipliers
problem

Missing Multipliers

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
What is the smallest number of answers you need to reveal in order to work out the missing headers?
Journeys in Numberland
problem

Journeys in Numberland

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Tom and Ben visited Numberland. Use the maps to work out the number of points each of their routes scores.
Pairs of Numbers
problem

Pairs of Numbers

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
If you have ten counters numbered 1 to 10, how many can you put into pairs that add to 10? Which ones do you have to leave out? Why?
Follow the numbers
problem

Follow the numbers

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
What happens when you add the digits of a number then multiply the result by 2 and you keep doing this? You could try for different numbers and different rules.
How do you do it?
problem

How do you do it?

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
This group activity will encourage you to share calculation strategies and to think about which strategy might be the most efficient.
Sort them out (1)
problem

Sort them out (1)

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?