Book SummarySecrets of Mental Math, by Arthur Benjamin and Michael Shermer

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Secrets of Mental Math

Essential abilities in performing arithmetic mentally.

Improving your natural ability for mental arithmetic can result in quicker and more effective management of daily math-related activities.

Performing rapid mental arithmetic for both adding and subtracting numbers.

Enhance your arithmetic skills by utilizing methods such as initiating calculations from left to right, confirming results through the use of modular sums, and applying a strategy that involves the exclusion of the number nine.

The technique involves breaking down numbers into simpler, more manageable parts, starting from the left and moving to the right.

Processing numbers in their usual sequence can enhance the speed of performing mental calculations. Address challenges by breaking them down into simpler, more manageable parts. When adding two-digit numbers, such as 47 and 32, begin by adding the tens to get 77 and then include the units to reach the final sum of 79. The method streamlines the calculation process by addressing numbers one at a time, thereby facilitating the handling of numerical values, including those that extend to three digits. To calculate the total of larger numbers, such as 538 plus 327, start by adding the hundreds, then the tens, and finally the ones, which results in a total of 865.

Employing techniques such as modular...

Secrets of Mental Math Summary Sophisticated strategies for performing arithmetic mentally.

Gaining proficiency in advanced methods of mental calculation can instill a feeling of self-assurance and have a lasting effect on an individual. The methods described are advantageous for quick calculations and evaluations, useful in academic, professional, and daily situations.

Acquiring proficiency in the art of squaring and cubing numbers.

Employing techniques that streamline the task of determining squares by approximating figures.

Employing methods that make numbers easier to work with by rounding them off can significantly ease the process of squaring them. A notably easier technique exists for calculating the squares of numbers like 35 or 85, which conclude with the digit 5. To calculate the square of a number, begin by multiplying the first digit by the next higher digit and then complete the calculation by adding 25 to that product; for example, when you square 35, the result is 1225, and this technique is consistent for squaring 85... = 7225)).

Raising numbers ending in 8 or 9 to the nearest multiple of ten makes the process of squaring them more straightforward. To determine the product of 69 multiplied by itself, you would first increase it to 70, then...

Secrets of Mental Math Summary Strategies to improve memory and increase the capacity for conducting mental arithmetic.

Improving one's ability to recall and perform calculations can significantly aid in academic endeavors and daily tasks. The manual includes a variety of strategies designed to improve these abilities.

Employing mnemonic tools can assist with the retention of numerical information.

Mnemonic devices serve as effective instruments for the retention of numerical information, useful in educational settings, career-related activities, or personal scenarios like remembering telephone contacts or significant anniversaries.

Forming memorable narratives by associating language with numbers.

Enhancing memory for numbers can be achieved by associating them with words to create narratives that are easier to remember. The suggested technique involves converting digits into consonant-related sounds and then integrating vowels to form words. The number 32 could be linked to the terms "moon" or "man," based on the chosen sound-based association system. By creating a ludicrous story that involves finding a small publication and inserting it into a device that detonates, launching you to the celestial body where your mission ends, you can facilitate the recall of a numerical...