Mental maths strategies · Grade 3

In Grade 3 you learn: adding near multiples of 10; adding and subtracting 100 and 1,000.

Mental maths is about choosing a clever route through a calculation instead of always using the same written method. Rounding and adjusting, partitioning, doubling and halving, and using facts you already know turn hard-looking sums into easy ones.

Key facts

  • Round and adjust: + 99 is + 100 − 1; − 49 is − 50 + 1.
  • Double and halve: × 4 is double, double; ÷ 4 is halve, halve.
  • × 5 is × 10 then halve; × 25 is × 100 then ÷ 4.
  • Near doubles: 35 + 36 is double 35 plus 1.

Other years