Multiplication Tips and Tricks for Mental Math

By Alex David

April 3, 2025

Want to master multiplication without memorizing endless tables? These mental math tricks help you multiply numbers quickly and easily, making calculations faster and more fun!

Mental math makes learning multiplication fun and super easy! By using simple tricks like breaking numbers into smaller parts or spotting patterns, kids can quickly solve multiplication problems and build confidence. Teach your child these handy mental math and multiplication skills to help them keep up with their class and enjoy learning numbers!

Multiplication Tips and Tricks

This article contains a discussion of multiplication tips and tricks for fast learning. Later on, a detailed discussion about the best multiplication tricks for math students. These mind-blowing multiplication tricks your kid will love.

Multiplication Tips and Tricks for Single-digit:

For single-digit numbers, there are many smoother multiplication tips and tricks that simplify calculations and make multiplication joyful, especially for kids and beginners. These tricks mentally help you to boost up your speed, accuracy, and confidence in handling numbers. Multiplying by 1, 2, and 3 is pretty simple and easy. Following techniques start from digit 4.

Tricks for Multiplying by 4:

When multiplying by 4, you just simply do all the calculations in your mind, like double the number and then double it again.

Example:

For solving 4 × 3. Simply double the number 3, which is 6, and then again double it again, which is 12. This is the answer.

Tricks for Multiplying by 5:

When multiplying by 5, remember the technique is pretty simple. Just add 0 at the end of the number and divide it by 2.

Example:

For solving 5 × 67. Just add 0 at the end of the number, which becomes 670, and divide by 2, which becomes 335.

Tricks for Multiplying by 6:

There are few multiplication tips and tricks for multiplying by 6. The first one is to double the number and then multiply it by 3. Like for solving 6 × 12. In the first step, double the number 24 and multiply it by 3, which becomes 72.

But the most important technique is to use the same technique as mentioned above for multiplying by 5 and then add the number.

Example:

For solving 6 x 12. Use the technique of multiplying the number by 5.

5 × 12, add 0 at the end of the number, which becomes 120, and divide it by 2, which now becomes 60. This is the extra step for multiplying by 6. Add the number once, which is 60 + 12 = 72.

Tricks for Multiplying by 7

There are many multiplication tips and tricks for multiplying by 7, which work according to the situation. For instance, if you are dealing with the multiplication of 7 by a single digit, then following the table of 7 or sometimes the repeated addition method.

In cases of double digits or higher, simply convert them into smaller and manageable pieces for an easy solution.

Tricks for Multiplying by 8

As you know, 8 is an even number. You can use multiple tricks for multiplying by 8. The following are some techniques that make the calculations easier.

Double Three Times (Triple Doubling)

As we know, 8 = 2 × 2 × 2, which shows that you can repeatedly double the number three times. For example for 8 × 6. Write a double of 6, which is 12; take a double of 12, which becomes 24; and at last again, take a double of 24, which is, of course, 48.

This image is showing multiplication tips and tricks of single digit.

Tricks for Multiplying by 9

When multiplying by 9, use the trick to multiply by 10 and then remove—minus that number once. This mental trick makes the calculations easier for beginners.

Example: for 14 × 9 is 140 – 14 = 126

Multiplication Tips and Tricks for Two-digit:

Multiplying two-digit numbers can look challenging at first, but using the right techniques and tricks, it becomes much easier. Different multiplication tips and tricks, such as breaking numbers into smaller parts and applying properties of multiplication, are some general techniques that make the calculations simpler.

Round up or Down to 0, and Add or Subtract the Rest:

One of the simplest multiplication tips and tricks is to multiply large numbers is to break one number into its tens and units, multiply each part separately, and then add them together. This method simplifies the calculation and makes it easier to handle mentally.

For Example:

32 × 83

Break it into: 30 × 83 + 2 × 83
Calculate: 2490 +166 = 2656

You can also use a rounding technique to simplify calculations when one number is close to a multiple of 10. Round it up, calculate the easier multiplication, and subtract the excess.

For Example:

29 × 80

Rewrite it as: (30 × 80)−(1 × 80)
Calculate: 2400−80 = 2320.

Convert Double-digit Problem into Single-digit:

This is one of the best multiplication tips and tricks; it converts the double digits into single digits or smaller numbers. It works as follows: firstly, decompose—break the numbers into smaller or manageable sizes; multiply all these manageable parts; and at the end, add them all.

For Example:

34×12:

Break it down:

34 = 30 + 4
12 = 10 + 2

Multiply the parts:

30 × 10 = 300
30 × 2 = 60
4 × 10 = 40
4 × 2 = 8

Add them: 300 + 60 + 40 + 8 = 408.

This image is showing multiplication tips and tricks of double digits.

Base Method (Near a base)

This multiplication tips and tricks simplifies the multiplication by focusing on a reference number—the base close to the numbers being multiplied. This technique looks like the same as above—breaking the problem into smaller, manageable parts. Here is the procedure to follow this technique:

Choose a Base

The first step is to select a reference number near the two numbers. Usually, this is a complete number.

Calculate Deviations:

The second step is to find the deviations—the difference between the base (chosen) and the actual number.

The procedure starts by subtracting the deviation of one number from the other to find the base component of the product. Then, multiply the deviations from the base to calculate the adjustment. At the end, add the base component and the adjustment to get the final result product.

For Example:

For 96 × 98, the base is 100, and the deviations are −4 and −2. Subtracting −2 from 96 gives 94, multiplying −4 and−2 gives 8, and combining 94 and 8 results in 9408.

Multiplication Tips and Tricks for Kids:

All the above multiplication tips and tricks are simple and easily understandable by the young learner. There are some techniques that can help the most as a beginning learner of multiplication.

Multiplication Tables:

One of the best and most useful multiplication tips and tricks is multiplication tables. The tables for multiplication are the essential tool for early learners of multiplication. These are the basics and very important for all to practice the multiplication in effective manners.

What is a Multiplication table?

A multiplication table is a grid of rows and columns. The intersection of rows and columns—cell shows the result of multiplying the numbers along the top and left side.

The multiplication tables build the foundation for more advanced math concepts like division, fractions, algebra, and geometry. Having skills in this concept brings speed, accuracy, and perfection in your calculations.

Conclusion:

Multiplication is the fundamental operator of mathematics. Mastering multiplication through multiplication tips and tricks can make learning both fun and efficient. By using methods such as breaking numbers into smaller parts, recognizing patterns, and applying simple formulas, children and learners of all ages can improve their speed, accuracy, and confidence in solving multiplication problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q # 1: Why is mental math important for multiplication?

Mental math makes multiplication faster, improves problem-solving skills, and reduces dependency on calculators. It helps in real-life situations like budgeting, shopping, and time calculations.

Q # 2: What is the best way to memorize multiplication tables?

Use patterns, repetition, and visualization techniques. Writing tables daily, practicing skip counting, and using multiplication games or flashcards help in quick memorization.

Q # 3: How does breaking numbers into smaller parts make multiplication easier?

Breaking numbers simplifies calculations by reducing large problems into manageable steps. Example:

34 × 12 = (30 + 4) × (10 + 2)

Q # 4: What is the easiest way to multiply large numbers mentally?

Use the base method—adjust numbers close to 10, 100, or 1000, multiply them, then correct for the adjustment.

Q # 5: Why does multiplying by 5 involve dividing by 2?

Because multiplying by 10 and dividing by 2 gives the same result.

Example:

5 × 68 = (10 × 68) ÷ 2 = 680 ÷ 2 = 340

Q # 6: What are the most common mistakes in multiplication?

Misplacing digits (especially in multi-digit multiplication).
Forgetting to carry over numbers.
Not adjusting correctly in base method calculations.

Q # 7: How does the distributive property help in mental multiplication?

It allows breaking down numbers into simpler parts. Example:

13 × 7 = ( 10 × 7 ) + (3 × 7) = 70 + 21 = 9113 × 7 = (10 × 7) + (3 × 7) = 70 + 21 = 91

Q # 8: What are some easy multiplication tricks for kids?

Finger trick for 9s: For 9 × 6, fold the 6th finger, leaving 5 fingers on the left and 4 on the right → Answer is 54.
Double and double again: For 4 × 6, double 6 → 12, then double again 12 → 24.