10 Math Tricks for Kids

Math can be difficult for many children — and parents, too! Numbers and equations sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when concepts like addition, subtraction, and even multiplication start entering the picture.The struggle is often real for young learners in kindergarten through fifth grade.

But math doesn’t have to be something kids dread or feel discouraged by. Math tricks or techniques can help kids transform math from a challenge into a rewarding “game.”

In this article, we’ll explore some techniques to help your child see numbers as friendly tools so they succeed without frustration.

10 Math Tricks for Kids

With the list below, you'll find tips for solving math problems and answers, too, so you can both jump right in. Practice these techniques during car rides, while waiting for meals, or as a fun part of your after-school routine!

1. Multiplying by 6

If you’re multiplying an even number by 6, the answer will end with the same last digit as that number, and you just need to add half of the number to the end result.

Example:

Let’s try 6 x 4.

Start by thinking of half of 4, which is 2.

Then, put that 2 in front of 4 to make 24.

So, 6 x 4 = 24!

Remember: This trick works great for even numbers.

2. The Answer is 2

Here’s a fun math trick called “The Answer Is 2” that works every time, no matter what number you start with. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Think of any number.
2. Multiply it by 3.
3. Add 6 to the result.
4. Divide that number by 3.
5. Finally, subtract your original number (from Step 1) from the result in Step 4.
6. The answer will always be 2.

Example:

Let’s start with the number 4.

1. Think of a number: 4
2. Multiply by 3: 4 x 3 = 12
3. Add 6: 12 + 6 = 18
4. Divide by 3: 18 ÷ 3 = 6
5. Subtract the original number: 6 - 4 = 2

This trick is beginner-friendly! It’s a great way to introduce kids to basic arithmetic operations — addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction — in a fun and interactive way.

3. Counting on and counting back

Counting on and counting back are simple, foundational math tricks that help young children understand addition and subtraction. They’re great for kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade to build number sense.

Counting On

Counting on is used for addition. Kids start with the larger number and “count on” from there, adding smaller amounts in their heads.

Example:

If the problem is 5 + 3, the child starts with 5 and counts on three more numbers:

"6… 7… 8."

So, 5 + 3 = 8.

Counting Back

Counting back is used for subtraction. Kids start with the larger number and "count back" by the smaller amount.

Example:

For 8 - 3, the child starts at 8 and counts back three numbers:

"7… 6… 5."

So, 8 - 3 = 5.

4. The 11 Rule

The "11 Rule" is a handy trick for quickly multiplying any two-digit number by 11. It’s easy enough for kids in 3rd grade and up to understand and use, and it can make multiplying by 11 feel like magic!

Here’s how it works:

1. Take any two-digit number (like 23).
2. Separate the two digits (in this case, 2 and 3).
3. Add the two digits together: 2 + 3 = 5.
4. Place the result in between the original two digits to form your answer.

Example:

If the problem is 23 x 11:

1. Separate the digits: 2 and 3.
2. Add the digits: 2 + 3 = 5.
3. Place the result between the original digits: 253.
4. So, 23 x 11 = 253.

5. The 37 Trick

Here’s a fun math trick that will always result in the number 37! No matter which 3-digit repeated number you choose, you’ll always get 37 when you follow these steps.

Here’s how it works:

1. Pick any 3-digit number where all three digits are the same (like 666, 555, etc.).
2. Add the three digits together.
3. Divide the original number by the sum from Step 2.
4. The answer will always be 37!

Example:

Let’s try 555.

1. Add the digits: 5 + 5 + 5 = 15.
2. Divide 555 by 15: 555 ÷ 15 = 37.

6. Memorizing Pi (π)

In most K5 classrooms, Pi (π) isn’t studied deeply until later grades. However, students in 3rd through 5th grade may briefly encounter Pi in geometry lessons, especially when learning about circles.

To help remember the first seven digits of Pi (3.141592), try this trick: Count the number of letters in each word of the sentence:

"How I wish I could calculate pi."

This gives you 3.141592!

7. Quick subtraction trick

This math trick is for anyone who wants to make subtraction easier by working with round numbers (like multiples of 10). It can be especially helpful for any student looking to simplify mental math.

Here’s how it works:

1. Add enough to the first number to make it a round number (like 10, 20, 30, etc.).
2. Subtract what you added from the final result to get the correct answer.

Example:

What is 58 – 29?

1. First, add 2 to 58 to make it 60 (a round number).
2. Now, rewrite the problem as 60 – 29.
3. Subtract 29 from 60: 60 – 29 = 31.
4. Since you added 2 to 58, subtract that 2 from 31 to get your final answer: 31 – 2 = 29.
5. So, 58 – 29 = 29.

8. Multiplication tables math trick

If you're subtracting a number from a multiple of that same number, you can use the multiplication table to simplify the problem. This math trick is typically for 3rd to 4th grade students, as they start learning their multiplication tables.

Example:

If you have 72 – 8, you can recognize that 72 is a multiple of 8 (since 8 × 9 = 72). Instead of subtracting 8 directly, you can think of it as subtracting one 8 from the total of 8 × 9.

9. Multiply big numbers

This math trick helps you quickly multiply two numbers that are close to 100. It's great for students in 4th to 5th grade who are learning multiplication and want an easier way to handle larger numbers.

Here’s how it works:

1. Subtract each number from 100 to find their "distance" from 100.
2. Add the two distances together and subtract from 100 to get part of the answer.
3. Multiply the two distances and add that result to the first part of your answer.

Example:

Multiply 92 x 98

Subtract from 100:

100 – 92 = 8

100 – 98 = 2

Add the two distances:

8 + 2 = 10

Subtract that from 100:

100 – 10 = 90

(This is the first part of your answer: 9,000)

Multiply the distances:

8 x 2 = 16

Add the product to 9,000:

9,000 + 16 = 9,016

So, 92 x 98 = 9,016.

10. Division tricks

These division tricks help you quickly determine if a number can be divided evenly by certain divisors (like 2, 3, 5, etc.) without doing long division:

A. Divisible by 10

A number is divisible by 10 if it ends in 0.

Example:

40 is divisible by 10 because it ends in 0.

B. Divisible by 9

A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

Example:

For 567, add the digits:5 + 6 + 7 = 18.

Since 18 is divisible by 9, 567 is divisible by 9.

C. Divisible by 8

A number is divisible by 8 if the last three digits are divisible by 8 (or if they are 000).

Example:

1,232 is divisible by 8 because 232 (the last three digits) is divisible by 8 (232 ÷ 8 = 29).

D. Divisible by 6

A number is divisible by 6 if it is even and the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

Example:

132 is divisible by 6 because it’s even and 1 + 3 + 2 = 6, which is divisible by 3.

E. Divisible by 5

A number is divisible by 5 if it ends in 0 or 5.

Example:

45 is divisible by 5 because it ends in 5.

F. Divisible by 4

A number is divisible by 4 if it ends in 00 or if the last two digits form a number divisible by 4.

Example:

812 is divisible by 4 because 12 (the last two digits) is divisible by 4 (12 ÷ 4 = 3).

G. Divisible by 3

A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

Example:

123 is divisible by 3 because 1 + 2 + 3 = 6, and 6 is divisible by 3.

H. Divisible by 2

A number is divisible by 2 if it ends in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8).

Example:

24 is divisible by 2 because it ends in 4, which is even.

Summary

The tips we’ve just covered can transform numbers from a daunting task into a series of playful challenges. As for where to start, it’s helpful to begin with the trick that suits your child’s current level and math topics in school.

Younger children might find confidence with counting on and counting back, while older students can benefit from shortcuts like the 11 Rule or divisibility tricks. Whichever technique you choose, keep your practice fun and lighthearted!

For more tips and strategies to boost your child’s math skills, check out our article on how to get better at math!