Mental maths strategies · Grade 5

In Grade 5 you learn: multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1,000; mental strategies with large numbers.

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.
  • Partition: 6 × 23 = 6 × 20 + 6 × 3.
  • For numbers close together, count up to find the difference: 1,003 − 996 = 7.

Worked examples

Example 1

48 × 5

Answer: 240

Example 2

7 × 49

Answer: 343

Other years