Mental calculations

There are 106 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Mental calculations
Ladybirds in the Garden
problem
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Ladybirds in the garden

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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In Sam and Jill's garden there are two sorts of ladybirds with 7 spots or 4 spots. What numbers of total spots can you make?
Find the Difference
problem
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Find the difference

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Place the numbers 1 to 6 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.
Where can we visit?
problem
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Where can we visit?

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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Charlie and Abi put a counter on 42. They wondered if they could visit all the other numbers on their 1-100 board, moving the counter using just these two operations: x2 and -5. What do you think?
The Brown Family
problem
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The brown family

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Use the information about Sally and her brother to find out how many children there are in the Brown family.
A Square of Numbers
problem
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A square of numbers

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you put the numbers 1 to 8 into the circles so that the four calculations are correct?
Power Countdown
problem
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Power countdown

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
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In this twist on the well-known Countdown numbers game, use your knowledge of Powers and Roots to make a target.
Roll these Dice
problem
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Roll these dice

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Roll two red dice and a green dice. Add the two numbers on the red dice and take away the number on the green. What are all the different possible answers?

Highest and Lowest
problem
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Highest and lowest

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Put operations signs between the numbers 3 4 5 6 to make the highest possible number and lowest possible number.
Mind Reading
problem
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Mind reading

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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Think of a number, add one, double it, take away 3, add the number you first thought of, add 7, divide by 3 and take away the number you first thought of. You should now be left with 2. How do I know?
Strike it out
problem
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Strike it out

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.