How To Really Calculate

In Your Head
Updated and Expanded Edition
By Kenneth Williams

www.MathKen.com
No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, or republished
in any form without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright (c) 2015. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter One: Addition
Chapter Two: Subtraction
Chapter Three: Multiplication
Chapter Four: Division
Chapter Five: Fractions
Chapter Six: Decimals
Chapter Seven: Percentages
Chapter Eight: Estimating
Chapter Nine: Dates
Chapter Ten: Times
Thank You
More Books by Kenneth Williams
 Introduction
This book has one goal: to teach you how to calculate in your head, without a
calculator.
But why would anyone want to calculate mentally in this day and age? Why
not use a calculator, a smart phone, or the Internet?
There are several reasons.
* First, using your brain is faster than messing around with a calculator.
* Second, you impress people with your number skills.
* Third, mental math helps you become smarter, as you are better able to
think logically and solve problems.
For all these reasons and more, sharpening up your mental math skills can be
very rewarding. The question is, how?
* How do you master the art of mental calculation when your math skills
were never great in school?
* How do you teach your kids this important skill, when they are less than
enthusiastic about math class?
* How can you acquire confident mental math skills without wasting hours of
pouring over worksheets and feeling overwhelmed?
Let a Mathematics Veteran Show You How
My name is Kenneth Williams and I've been a mathematician and math
teacher for over 40 years.
Early in my career I was fortunate enough to study Vedic Mathematics, an
ancient form of math that was only rediscovered in the early twentieth
century.
If "Vedic Math" sounds a bit weird to you right now, I encourage you to read
on. For I'm about to show you the easiest way to calculate in your head ever
devised.
Why is this way easy?
One, the Vedic way is the most natural way to solve math problems. That's
because you solve math problems the way you read a book: from left to right.
Two, I have simplified the Vedic approach into tiny steps so simple that even
kids can enjoy these wonderful techniques.

Discover the Math Advantage Today

My specialty is making Vedic math simple. I do this by breaking
mathematics into simple, people-friendly techniques that anybody can use.
Math is simple when you keep it simple. And that's what I do.
In this kindle book, you'll find a complete step-by-step training course in how
to calculate in your head the easy way.
All you do is follow the easy techniques. Read a few lines, understand the
simple examples, then put your new knowledge to use with a quiz. The
quizzes are fun and let you prove to yourself how simple mental math really
is.
So let's begin.
 Chapter One: Addition
Addition Lesson 1
Pairs That Add Up To 10
Adding is easier when you know the pairs of numbers that add up to 10.
In fact, only five pairs of numbers add up to 10:
1 + 9 = 10
2 + 8 = 10
3 + 7 = 10
4 + 6 = 10
5 + 5 = 10
It’s worth knowing these pairs by heart.
The “Filling The Gap” Technique
So if you have to find the missing number in:
3 + ? = 10
You know it must be 7 because 3 + 7 = 10.
Similarly, in ? + 4 = 10
you can see that the missing number is 6 because 6 + 4 = 10.
Remember that 4 + 6 and 6 + 4 mean the same thing.
Take the Quiz
Find the missing numbers:
(a) 7 + ? = 10
(b) 8 + ? = 10
(c) ? + 9 = 10
(d) ? + 6 = 10
(e) 5 + ? = 10
(f) ? + 2 = 10
Answers to Quiz
(a) 3
(b) 2
(c) 1
(d) 4
(e) 5
(f) 8
Addition Lesson 2
How to Add Up Beyond Ten
Making ten is easy.
And additions like 6 + 3 or 4 + 4 are also easy, because the answer is always
a single digit.
But addition becomes trickier when the answer runs into two digits.
Now suppose you need to add 8 + 7
You may know the answer to 8 + 7 already. You’ve probably memorized it
in the past. But suppose you didn’t know the answer. How would you add
this?
One way would be to count.

* You could start with the 8, and count on 7

* Or you could start with the 7, and count on 8

Either way would get you the right answer, 15.
But counting is too slow and cumbersome for mental math. To calculate in
your head, you need a better way to add…
The Number Splitting Technique
Look again at 8 + 7.
Now imagine you want to ‘Make Ten’ with the 8. What would you add?
2 of course. Because 8 + 2 = 10.
You can take that 2 from the 7. This then reduces the 7 to a 5.
So you made 10, plus you have 5 left over, making your total answer 15.

Number splitting may look complicated at a first. But it’s really very simple:
To add 8 + 7, split the 7 into 2 + 5

Essentially you break the addition into two tiny steps. When you do this, the
addition becomes easy.
Step One: 8 + 2 makes 10.
Step Two: Adding on 5 makes 15.
Mathematically, you can write it like this:
8 + 7 = 8 + 2 + 5 = 10 + 5 = 15

Let’s do some more examples to drive this technique home.

9+4
Starting with the 9, you turn it into a ten by taking 1 from the 4.
This reduces the 4 to a 3.
So you have 10 plus 3 which makes 13

And another one.

6+5
As always, start by making ten. To make the 6 into a ten, you take 4 from
the 5.
This turns the 5 into a mere 1.
So you have a 10 plus a 1 which make 11
Take the Quiz
Add these using the Number Splitting technique.
(a) 8 + 3
(b) 7 + 6
(c) 9 + 3
(d) 8 + 7
(e) 6 + 5
(f) 7 + 5
Answers to Quiz
(a) 11
(b) 13
(c) 12
(d) 15
(e) 11
(f) 12
Addition Lesson 3
How to Make Number Splitting Even Easier
Now look at this sum:
4+9
Notice that the first number (4) is smaller than the second number (9).
Using number splitting, you could start with the 4 and split the 9.
But remember that you can add numbers in any order you like.
That’s because:
4+9 = 9+4

Why does this matter? You’ll find it easier mentally if you start with the
larger number and split the smaller number.
The larger number gives you a smaller gap to make ten.
Looking again at 4 + 9
* Starting with the 4, you need to fill in a gap of 6.

* Starting with the 9, you need to fill in a gap of 1.

And mentally, a gap of 1 is much easier.
You’ll appreciate this mental energy-saving tip later on in the course.
Take the Quiz
Now add these by using number splitting. Remember to start with the larger
number and split the smaller number.
(a) 4 + 8
(b) 5 + 9
(c) 3 + 8
(d) 6 + 9
(e) 7 + 9
(f) 5 + 6
Answers to Quiz

(a) 12
(b) 14
(c) 11
(d) 15
(e) 16
(f) 11
Addition Lesson 4
How to Add Singles to Double Digits
Suppose you need to find 48 + 6
This is very easy to do using Number Splitting. Can you see how to do it?
Simply split the 6 into 2 + 4.
Then 48 + 2 = 50 and 50 + 4 = 54

Another example: 77 + 9
You want to split the 9 into 3 + 6
So 77 + 3 = 80 and 80 + 6 = 86.
Take the Quiz
Add these using number splitting:
(a) 37 + 5
(b) 58 + 6
(c) 82 + 9
(d) 64 + 7
(e) 27 + 8
(f) 55 + 9
Answers to Quiz
(a) 42
(b) 64
(c) 91
(d) 71
(e) 35
(f) 64
Addition Lesson 5
The Easy Way to Add a Pair of Double-Digits
Suppose you have two 2-digit numbers to add up.
Like 52 + 34.
First, you add the tens
* The tens are the digits at the left of each number.
* This gives you 5 + 3 = 8 as the tens digit of the answer.
Second, you add the units
* The units are the digits at the right of each number.
* This gives you 2 + 4 = 6 as the units digit of the answer.
So you have 8 tens and 6 units giving 86 as your answer.
And so 52 + 34 = 86.

Let’s do another example:

25 + 73
Add the Tens:
* This gives you 2 + 7 = 9 as the tens digit of the answer.
Add the Units:
* This gives you 5 + 3 = 8 as the units digit of the answer.
So you have 9 tens and 8 units giving 98 as your answer.
In summary: 25 + 73 = 98

The important thing here is to get used to working from left to right.
* You start by adding the tens digits, which are on the left.
* Then you add the units digits, which are on the right.
Take the Quiz
(a) 35 + 14
(b) 63 + 22
(c) 41 + 43
(d) 72 + 23
(e) 16 + 13
(f) 61 + 31
(g) 54 + 34
(h) 16 + 32
Answers to Quiz
(a) 49
(b) 85
(c) 84
(d) 95
(e) 29
(f) 92
(g) 88
(h) 48
Addition Lesson 6
The Carry Technique Made Painless
Suppose you have these two 2-digit numbers to add up:
47 + 36
Follow the usual procedure, starting at the left:
Add the Tens
* Adding the tens digits gives 4 + 3 which makes 7
* Remember this 7
Add the Units
* Adding the units digits gives 7+6 which makes 13
Notice that the units total is 13 (a two-digit number).
The 1 in this 13 is to be “carried over” to the 7 from the tens total to give 83
as the answer.
We can show it like this: 7 tens 13 units becomes 713 = 83
So 47 + 36 = 83

Let’s do another example to see the “carry over” technique in action again.
36 + 26
Add the Tens
* Adding the tens digits gives 3 + 2 which makes 5
* Remember this 5
Add the Units
* Adding the units digits gives 6+6 which makes 12
Combining these, you get 512 = 62
So 36 + 26 = 62.
Take the Quiz
Practice these from left to right, mentally:
(a) 65 + 27
(b) 37 + 47
(c) 48 + 39
(d) 26 + 26
(e) 45 + 48
(f) 29 + 46
(g) 56 + 38
(h) 29 + 49
Answers to Quiz
(a) 92
(b) 84
(c) 87
(d) 52
(e) 93
(f) 75
(g) 94
(h) 78
Addition Lesson 7
Two Ways to Think About Mental Addition
Now let’s find: 60 + 70.
The answer is 130, and there are two good ways of doing this:
Method 1: Adding Tens
You can add 6 and 7 to get 13, and because they are tens you get 130 as the
answer.
Method 2: ‘Making a Hundred’
The other way is to notice that 60 needs 40 added to it to get to 100.
So 40 of the 70 is added to 60 to give 100.
Then the other 30 of the 70 is added to 100 to give 130.
(NOTE: This is very similar to the ‘filling the gap’ technique you learned in
an earlier lesson. The only difference is that, instead of ‘Making Ten’, you
are ‘Making a Hundred’.)

Let’s do another example to review the two methods.

80 + 30
Method 1:
* Add 8+3 to get 11.
* That means “11 tens” which makes 110.
Method 2:
* You ‘make a hundred’ by taking 20 from the 30.
* That makes 100, with 10 left over, totaling 110.
Which method should you use? Try both methods. Then do what comes
naturally to you.
Take the Quiz
Practice these mentally:
(a) 70 + 80
(b) 90 + 40
(c) 80 + 30
(d) 60 + 60
(e) 30 + 60
(f) 30 + 70
(g) 90 + 90
(h) 50 + 80
Answers to Quiz
(a) 150
(b) 130
(c) 110
(d) 120
(e) 90
(f) 100
(g) 180
(h) 130
Addition Lesson 8
Now You Can Add Any Double-Digit Numbers
Now suppose you need to find 67 + 68.
* The tens total is 6+6 = 12
* The units total is 7+8 = 15
Combining these: 1215 = 135
This is done mentally:
* First think 12
* Then think 15
* Then carry the 1 in the 15 over to the 12 and give the answer: 135.
So 67 + 68 = 135.

Another example:
55 + 82
* The tens totals is 13
* The units totals is 7
* And combining we get 137.
Note here the units total has only one digit, so there is no carry as there was
in the first example.
Take the Quiz
Practice these from left to right, mentally:
(a) 65 + 77
(b) 97 + 42
(c) 88 + 33
(d) 62 + 62

(e) 63 + 69
(f) 59 + 46
(g) 36 + 48
(h) 92 + 93
Answers to Quiz
(a) 142
(b) 139
(c) 121
(d) 124
(e) 132
(f) 105
(g) 84
(h) 185
Addition Lesson 9
The Easiest Way to Add 9
Here you are going to see an alternative way of doing some additions.
Many people when faced with adding 9 to a number will add 10 instead and
take 1 away.
So for 55 + 9
Step 1: Add 10 to 55 to get 65.
Step 2: Take 1 off 65 to get 64.
So 55 + 9 = 64.

Try this out. Even if you would normally do something different, it’s worth
trying out something new.
Similarly, 9 + 183 = 192 because:
Step 1: Adding 10 to 183 gives 193.
Step 2: Take 1 from 193 to get 192.
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 55 + 9
(b) 9 + 76
(c) 52 + 9
(d) 83 + 9
(e) 94 + 9
(f) 9 + 48
Answers to Quiz
(a) 64
(b) 85
(c) 61
(d) 92
(e) 103
(f) 57
Addition Lesson 10
Now Add Any Double-Digit Ending in 9
The method of adding 9 by adding 10 and taking 1 away can also be used to
add numbers like 19, 29, 59 and so on.
In 74 + 19, notice that 19 is 1 below 20.
So this can be done by adding 20 to 74 and taking 1 off.
Step 1: Adding 20 to 74 gives 94 .
Step 2: Take 1 off 94 to get 93 as the answer.

Similarly, for 39 + 54 you notice that 39 is 1 below 40.

Step 1: Add 40 to 54 to get 94.
Step 2: Take 1 away from 94 to get 93 as the answer.
Think:
* 39 is 1 below 40
* 40 + 54 = 94
* 94 – 1 = 93

Similarly, for 87 + 59 you can add 60 to 87 and take 1 off.

Step 1: 87 + 60 is 147, (remember you add 80 and 60 to get 140 and then add
on the 7 to get 147).
Step 2: 147 – 1 = 146.
Think:
* 59 is 1 below 60
* 87 + 60 = 147
* 147 – 1 = 146
Take the Quiz
(a) 55 + 19
(b) 76 + 29
(c) 52 + 39
(d) 53 + 59
(e) 94 + 49
(f) 19 + 45
Answers to Quiz
(a) 74
(b) 105
(c) 91
(d) 112
(e) 143
(f) 64
Addition Lesson 11
How to Add Near a Base
A “base” is any number which is a multiple of ten. So numbers like 10, 20,
90, 100, 400, 6000, and so on are all base numbers.
You’ve seen the base method in the previous two lessons with numbers
ending in 9. This method can be developed further.

Suppose you want to add 36 + 48.

Notice that 48 is close to 50, and 2 below 50.
That means that instead of adding 40 and 8, you could add 50 and subtract 2.
Step 1: So adding 50 to 36 gives 86.
Step 2: And taking 2 off gives 84 as the answer.
So 36 + 48 = 84.

Similarly, for 27 + 94, notice that 27 is close to 30 and 3 below it.

Step 1: So add 30 to 94 to get 124.
Step 2: And take 3 off 124 to get 121 as the answer.
Think:
* 27 is 3 below 30
* 94 + 30 = 124
* 124 – 3 = 121.
Take the Quiz
(a) 55 + 28
(b) 46 + 38
(c) 55 + 27
(d) 83 + 18
(e) 94 + 37
(f) 48 + 48
Answers to Quiz
(a) 83
(b) 84
(c) 82
(d) 101
(e) 131
(f) 96
Addition Lesson 12
Adding Three Numbers
Until now, you have solved additions containing two numbers.
But sometimes you have to add three or more numbers.
Suppose you need 2 + 4 + 7
Step 1: Add the 2 + 4 first to get 6.
Step 2: Then add the 7 onto your answer: 6 + 7 = 13.
So 2 + 4 + 7 = 13.

Similarly, 12 + 6 + 5
Step 1: 12 + 6 = 18.
Step 2: 18 + 5 = 23.
So 12 + 6 + 5 = 23.
Take the Quiz
Practice these from left to right, mentally:
(a) 3 + 9 + 2
(b) 5 + 7 + 4
(c) 7 + 8 + 9
(d) 13 + 4 + 6
(e) 4 + 14 + 4
(f) 22 + 4 + 7
Answers to Quiz
(a) 14
(b) 16
(c) 24
(d) 23
(e) 22
(f) 33
Addition Lesson 13
How To Add Several Numbers
Using the simple left-to-right method, you can add as many numbers are you
like.
So for 3 + 1 + 5 + 2
Step 1: Add the first two numbers, 3 + 1 = 4.
Step 2: Add the answer to the next number, 4 + 5 = 9.
Step 3: Add the answer to the last number, 9 + 2 = 11.
And so 3 + 1 + 5 + 2 = 11.

For 3 + 11 + 6 + 2 + 3
Step 1: 3 + 11 = 14.
Step 2: This 14 + the next number, 6 = 20.
Step 3: This 20 + the next number, 2 = 22.
Step 4: This 22 + the last number, 3 = 25.
And so 3 + 11 + 6 + 2 + 3 = 25.
Take the Quiz
Practice these mentally:
(a) 5 + 3 + 9 + 2
(b) 8 + 7 + 5 + 4
(c) 7 + 5 + 8 + 9
(d) 3 + 4 + 6 + 7 + 4
(e) 4 + 7 + 5 + 7 + 2
(f) 13 + 4 + 8 + 3 + 5
Answers to Quiz
(a) 19
(b) 24
(c) 29
(d) 24
(e) 25
(f) 33
Addition Lesson 14
A Little Secret to Easier Addition
So you’ve learned to add several numbers, starting with the left-most number,
then the next number in sequence, and so on.
But actually, adding several numbers from left to right is not usually the best
way. ;-) There’s an even easier method.

If you want 2 + 4 + 7 it’s better to start with the biggest number, the 7.
And add on the next biggest, then the last number.
That’s because it’s better to do the hardest part first.
So you’d do 2 + 4 + 7 like this:
Step 1: 7 + 4 = 11.
Step 2: Then 11 + 2 = 13.
So 2 + 4 + 7 = 13.
Remember:
Add the two largest numbers first, then add on the third number.

Similarly, 8 + 5 + 9
Step 1: The two biggest numbers are 9 and 8, and 9 + 8 = 17.
Step 2: Add the remaining number, the 5: 17 + 5 = 22.
So 8 + 5 + 9 = 22.
Take the Quiz
Practice these mentally:
(a) 8 + 3 + 6
(b) 5 + 7 + 7
(c) 7 + 4 + 2 +6
(d) 9 + 15 + 6
(e) 4 + 14 + 8
(f) 6 + 8 + 9
Answers to Quiz
(a) 17
(b) 19
(c) 19
(d) 30
(e) 26
(f) 23
Addition Lesson 15
How Making Tens Makes Addition Positively Lazy
You’re going to learn an even simpler method to add single digits.
Remember those pairs of numbers that add up to 10?
They are:
1 + 9 = 10
2 + 8 = 10
3 + 7 = 10
4 + 6 = 10
5 + 5 = 10
These can also be useful when adding up a series of numbers.

For example, to find 5 + 3 + 4 + 7

Step 1: Notice that you have a 3 and a 7 here, which make a 10.
Step 2: So add the other numbers: 5 + 4 = 9.
Step 3: And then add that 10 on: 9 + 10 = 19.

With a bit of practice you can immediately spot the tens.

For 6 + 5 + 8 + 4
Step 1: Notice 6 + 4 = 10.
Step 2: Adding the other numbers: 5 + 8 = 13.
Step 3: And then add that 10 on: 13 + 10 = 23.
Take the Quiz
Practice these mentally:
(a) 8 + 3 + 2
(b) 5 + 3 + 7
(c) 8 + 4 + 2 + 5
(d) 9 + 5 + 7 + 1
(e) 4 + 5 + 5 + 9
(f) 9 + 4 + 9 + 6
Answers to Quiz
(a) 13
(b) 15
(c) 19
(d) 22
(e) 23
(f) 28
Addition Lesson 16
Making Tens Many Times
Sometimes you may spot more than one 10.
Take a look at this example.
Find 5 + 3 + 6 + 5 + 4
Here you can spot 5 + 5 = 10.
And also 6 + 4 = 10.
That only leaves the 3.
And that 3 with those two tens gives 3 + 20 = 23.

Another example: 3 + 1 + 8 + 7 + 9 + 7
Step 1: Notice 3 + 7 = 10. And also 1 + 9 = 10.
Step 2: That leaves 8 and 7, which make 15.
Step 3: Now add on those two tens: 15 + 20 = 35.
So 5 + 3 + 6 + 5 + 4 = 35.
Take the Quiz
Practice these mentally:
(a) 6 + 7 + 8 + 3 + 2
(b) 9 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 7
(c) 6 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 8
(d) 9 + 5 + 7 + 5 + 4 + 3
(e) 4 + 8 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 9
(f) 8 + 4 + 7 + 6 + 2
Answers to Quiz
(a) 26
(b) 25
(c) 25
(d) 33
(e) 29
(f) 27
 Chapter Two: Subtraction
Subtraction Lesson 1
The Basic Subtraction Technique
Subtracting 2-digit numbers is very similar to the addition process you just
learned. The only difference is you’re subtracting. Here’s how it goes.
Find 69 – 43
First, you subtract the tens
* The tens are the digits at the left of each number.
* This gives you 6 – 4 = 2 as the tens digit of the answer.
Second, you subtract the units
* The units are the digits at the right of each number.
* This gives you 9 – 3 = 6 as the units digit of the answer.
So you have 2 tens and 6 units giving 26 as your answer.

Let’s do another double-digit subtraction:

87 – 35
Subtract the Tens:
* This gives you 8 – 3 = 5 as the tens digit of the answer.
Subtract the Units:
* This gives you 7 – 5 = 2 as the units digit of the answer.
You have 5 tens and 2 units giving 52 as your answer.
So 87 – 35 = 52
Take the Quiz
Practice these from left to right, mentally:
(a) 75 – 31
(b) 46 – 25
(c) 55 – 33
(d) 78 – 75
(e) 94 – 24
(f) 18 – 17
(g) 39 – 24
(h) 66 - 45
Answers to Quiz
(a) 44
(b) 21
(c) 22
(d) 3
(e) 70
(f) 1
(g) 15
(h) 21
Subtraction Lesson 2
How to Check Your Subtraction is Correct
You can easily check subtractions by adding your answer to the number
being subtracted.
To check 9 - 3 = 6 you add 6 and 3.
If you get 9, you know your subtraction is correct.

For 69 – 43 = 26 you add 26 and 43.

And if you get 69 your answer must be correct.

Similarly with 87 – 35 = 52, test your answer by adding 52 and 35.

They add up to 87 so the answer is correct.
Take the Quiz
Check these subtractions. Answer Y for correct and N for incorrect.
(a) 65 – 21 = 42
(b) 77 – 43 = 38
(c) 48 – 14 = 34
(d) 79 – 16 = 53
(e) 36 – 14 = 22
(f) 89 – 53 = 26
Answers to Quiz
(a) N
(b) N
(c) Y
(d) N
(e) Y
(f) N
Subtraction Lesson 3
Taking Away a Single Digit
Remember those five pairs of numbers that add up to 10?
They are:
1 + 9 = 10
2 + 8 = 10
3 + 7 = 10
4 + 6 = 10
5 + 5 = 10
We can use these when taking numbers away from each other.

Look at 80 – 4
The secret here is to think of 80 as 70 + 10
You know that 80 means “eight tens”. So you can use one of those eight tens
to subtract 10 – 4.
You’ve now got 7 whole tens. And 10 – 4 which makes 6.
That gives 80 – 4 = 76

Similarly, 70 – 8 is 62.
If you think of 70 as seven tens, then…
* The 8 comes off one of the 7 tens, leaving 6 tens.
* And 8 from the remaining 10 is 2.
Take the Quiz
Now subtract these:
(a) 80 – 7
(b) 40 – 3
(c) 50 – 6
(d) 70 – 5
(e) 90 – 2
(f) 60 – 9
Answers to Quiz
(a) 73
(b) 37
(c) 44
(d) 65
(e) 88
(f) 51
Subtraction Lesson 4
Subtraction Made Easy with Number Splitting
Suppose you need to subtract 23 – 5.
This is easy when you subtract the 5 in two simple steps.
Step 1:
* Take 3 from 23 first (because that gives a nice round 20)

Step 2:
* Then take the other 2 from 20 to get 18.
So 23 – 5 = 18.

Here’s another example. Suppose you need to subtract 54 – 7

As before, take away the 7 in two simple steps.
Step 1:
* Take 4 from 54 first (because that gives a nice round 50)

Step 2:
* Then take the other 3 to get 47.

Now let’s subtract 42 – 6

Take away 6 in two steps.
Step 1:
* Take 2 from 42 to get 40.
Step 2:
* Then take the other 4 from 40 to get 36.
So 42 – 6 = 36.

You can see why this method is called Number Splitting. You literally split
the number you’re taking away into two parts.
With 32 – 7, for example, you split the 7 into 2 and 5.
You take away 2 first, then you take away 5.
So 32 – 2 = 30.
Then 30 – 5 = 25.
So 32 – 7 = 25
Take the Quiz
Subtract these using number splitting:
(a) 33 – 4
(b) 41 – 3
(c) 55 – 6
(d) 72 – 5
(e) 94 – 8
(f) 67 – 9
Answers to Quiz
(a) 29
(b) 38
(c) 49
(d) 67
(e) 86
(f) 58
Subtraction Lesson 5
How to Subtract Any Pair of Double-Digit Numbers
Now let’s extend the number-splitting technique to subtract any pair of two-
digit numbers.
Look at 63 – 25
Subtract the 25 in two parts:
Step 1: Take 20 from 63
Step 2: Take 5 from the result
* Taking 20 from 63 gives 43.
* Then taking 5 from 43 gives 38 as the answer.
Remember, you can take the 5 from 43 like this:
* take 3 from 43 to get 40
* and then the remaining 2 from 40 to get 38.

For another example, subtract 42 – 17

We take away 17 in two steps.
First we take away 10.
Then we take away the remaining 7.
Step 1: Taking 10 from 42 leaves 32.
Step 2: Taking 7 from 32 leaves 25.

So 42 – 17 = 25.
Take the Quiz
Practice these from left to right, mentally:
(a) 55 – 37
(b) 76 – 29
(c) 52 – 27
(d) 81 – 38
(e) 94 – 86
(f) 48 – 39
Answers to Quiz
(a) 18
(b) 47
(c) 25
(d) 43
(e) 8
(f) 9
Subtraction Lesson 6
Take Away Numbers Ending in 9
You met base numbers in the addition section.
In a similar way to addition, you can easily subtract numbers like 9, 19, 29
and so on.
To find 44 – 9 you can:
Step 1: Take 10 from 44 to get 34.
Step 2: And add 1 back on to get 35.
So 44 – 9 = 35.

And just as you can add 19 by adding 20 and taking 1 off, you can easily
subtract 19 by taking 20 off and adding 1 back on.
For 53 – 19 you can:
Step 1: Take 20 from 53 to get 33.
Step 2: And add 1 to get 34.
So 53 – 19 = 34.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 75 – 9
(b) 46 – 9
(c) 55 – 19
(d) 83 – 19

(e) 68 – 29
(f) 77 – 39
Answers to Quiz
(a) 66
(b) 37
(c) 36
(d) 64
(e) 39
(f) 38
Subtraction Lesson 7
Subtract Numbers Like 28, 37
Like numbers ending in 9, numbers that end in 8 or 7 can be easily subtracted
using the base method.

For 85 – 38 you notice that 38 is 2 below 40.

Step 1: So you take 40 from 85 to get 45.
Step 2: And add 2 back on to get 47.
So 85 – 38 = 47.

Similarly, for 53 – 27 you notice that 27 is 3 below 30.

Step 1: So you take 30 from 53 to get 23.
Step 2: Add 3 back on to get 26.
So 53 – 27 = 26.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 75 – 28
(b) 46 – 38
(c) 55 – 18
(d) 83 – 17
(e) 61 – 27
(f) 77 – 69
Answers to Quiz
(a) 47
(b) 8
(c) 37
(d) 66
(e) 34
(f) 8
Subtraction Lesson 8
How to Add and Subtract
Often in life you get additions and subtractions together.

For example: 8 – 3 + 7
Step 1: Find 8 – 3 first, which is 5.
Step 2: Then add the 7 to that 5, 5 + 7=12.
So 8 – 3 + 7 = 12.
Work from left to right as before.

For 5 + 7 – 8
Step 1: 5 + 7 = 12,
Step 2: And 12 – 8 = 4.
So 5 + 7 – 8 = 4.
Take the Quiz
Solve these:
(a) 9 – 3 + 5
(b) 11 – 7 + 8
(c) 7 + 4 – 2
(d) 13 + 5 – 11
Answers to Quiz
(a) 11
(b) 12
(c) 9
(d) 7
Subtraction Lesson 9
Addition and Subtraction Made Even Easier
Working from left to right is not always the best way when you have a
mixture of additions and subtractions.
If you have 4 – 6 + 7 you can do it like this:
* Add all the plus numbers
* Add all the minus numbers
* Then subtract.
The plus numbers here are the 4 and the 7.
The minus number is the 6 (because it has a minus before it).
Step 1: Add the plus numbers. 4 + 7 = 11.
Step 2: Add all the minus numbers. There’s only one minus number, 6.
Step 3: Subtract these, 11 – 6 = 5.
So 4 – 6 + 7 = 5.

Similarly, 8 – 12 + 8
Step 1: Add the plus numbers, 8 + 8 = 16.
Step 2: There’s only one minus number, 12.
Step 3: Subtract these, 16 – 12 = 4.
So 8 – 12 + 8 = 4.
Take the Quiz
Solve these:
(a) 3 – 8 + 6
(b) 5 – 7 + 12
(c) 7 – 9 + 6
(d) 9 – 5 + 6
(e) 9 – 16 + 8
(f) 6 + 8 – 9
Answers to Quiz
(a) 1
(b) 10
(c) 4
(d) 10
(e) 1
(f) 5
Subtraction Lesson 10
Adding and Subtracting Many Numbers
If you have more numbers, like 2 + 6 – 4 + 7 – 5, you can do it like this:
The plus numbers here are the 2, 6 and 7.
The minus numbers are the 4 and the 5 (because they each have a minus
before them).
Step 1: Add the plus numbers, 2 + 6 + 7 = 15.
Step 2: Add the minus numbers, 4 + 5 = 9.
Step 3: Subtract these answers, 15 – 9 = 6.
So 2 + 6 – 4 + 7 – 5 = 6.

And for: 5 – 8 + 6 – 3
The plus numbers here are the 5 and 6.
The minus numbers are the 8 and the 3.
Step 1: Add the plus numbers, 5 + 6 = 11.
Step 2: Add the minus numbers, 8 + 3 = 11.
Step 3: Subtract these answers, 11 – 11 = 0.
So 5 – 8 + 6 – 3= 0.
Take the Quiz
Solve these mixed additions and subtractions:
(a) 4 – 5 + 6 – 1
(b) 5 – 7 + 8 – 4
(c) 7 – 9 + 6 – 4
(d) 3 + 9 – 5 + 6
(e) 4 – 6 + 8 – 3 + 5
(f) 7 + 8 – 9 + 3 – 1
Answers to Quiz
(a) 4
(b) 2
(c) 0
(d) 13
(e) 8
(f) 8
Subtraction Lesson 11
“All from 9 and the Last From 10” (Part 1)
“All from 9 and the Last From 10” is a powerful, yet simple and versatile
formula for subtracting from base numbers (multiples of ten).

Example: 1000 - 357 = 643

We simply subtract each digit in 357 from 9, except the last digit, which we
take from 10.

Another example: 1000 – 382

Again, we apply the formula: “All from 9, and the last from 10.”
We are subtracting 382, so we take
3 from 9, which gives us 6.
8 from 9 gives us 1.
2 from 10 gives us 8.
So 1000 – 382 = 618.
That’s all you have to do: take digits from 9, and the last digit from 10.

Similarly, for 10,000 – 5627

Step 1: take 5, 6 and 2 from 9, to get 4, 3 and 7 for the first three digits of the
answer.
Step 2: take the last digit, which is the 7 from 10 to get 3 for the last digit of
the answer.
So 10,000 – 5627 = 4373.

And for 100 – 54

Step 1: take 5 from 9, to get 4.
Step 2: take 4 from 10 to get 6.
So 100 – 54 = 46.
Take the Quiz
Now subtract these:
(a) 1000 – 357
(b) 1000 – 291
(c) 10,000 – 2849
(d) 100,000 – 71,543
(e) 100 – 38
(f) 1000 – 704
Answers to Quiz
(a) 643
(b) 709
(c) 7151
(d) 28,457
(e) 62
(f) 296
Subtraction Lesson 12
“All from 9 and the Last From 10” (Part 2)
For subtractions like 1000 – 360, or 100,000 – 76,500 where the number
being subtracted ends in a zero or zeros . . . you apply “All from 9 and the
Last From 10” only to the non-zero digits: the 36 and 765.

For 1000 – 360,

there is a zero at the end, so apply the formula to 36 only.
Step 1: take 3 from 9, to get 6.
Step 2: take 6 (which is now the ‘Last’) from 10 to get 4.
Step 3: now attach that 0.
So 1000 – 360 = 640.

Similarly for 100,000 – 76,500 note two zeros at the end.

Step 1: take 7 and 6 from 9, to get 2 and 3.
Step 2: take 5 (which is now the ‘Last’) from 10 to get 5.
Step 3: now attach 00.
So 100,000 – 76,500 = 23,500.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 1000 – 730
(b) 10,000 – 5,290
(c) 10,000 – 2,800
(d) 100,000 – 17,000
(e) 100 – 40
(f) 100,000 – 60,700
Answers to Quiz
(a) 270
(b) 4710
(c) 7,200
(d) 83,000
(e) 60
(f) 39,300
Subtraction Lesson 13
“All from 9 and the Last From 10” (Part 3)
All the subtractions we’ve had so far have had the same number of zeros in
the first number as digits in the second number.
Like 1000 – 567, which has 3 zeros in 1000, and 3 digits in 567.

What about 1000 – 74?

To apply our method we need a 3-digit number on the right, and we can get
that by putting a zero before the 74, like this:
1000 – 74 = 1000 – 074
Now applying the formula “All from 9 and the Last From 10”:
1000 – 074 = 926.
That is, we take the 0 and 7 from 9, and the 4 from 10.

Similarly, 10,000 – 68
We need to put two zeros before the 68:
10,000 – 68 = 10,000 – 0068
So 10,000 – 0068 = 9932.
We take 006 each from 9 and the 8 from 10.
Take the Quiz
Subtract:
(a) 1000 – 73
(b) 10,000 – 62
(c) 10,000 – 777
(d) 100,000 – 813
(e) 100 – 7
(f) 100,000 – 44
Answers to Quiz
(a) 927
(b) 9938
(c) 9223
(d) 99,187
(e) 93
(f) 99,956
Subtraction Lesson 14
“All from 9 and the Last From 10” (Part 4)
Now here’s another way of extending this method.
Suppose we have 9000 – 234 (instead of the usual 1000 – 234).
You just imagine you’re taking 234 from one of those nine 1000s.
1000 – 234 = 766.
Having taken 234 from one of those nine 1000s, there will eight 1000s left.
So 9000 – 234 = 8766.
In other words we just reduce the first digit by 1 (the 9 becomes an 8), and
apply our formula to 234.

Similarly, 700 – 48 = 652.

Step 1: The 7 is reduced by 1 to 6 (because the 48 is being subtracted from
one of those seven 100s).
Step 2: And applying “All from 9 and the Last From 10” to 48 gives 52, so
the answer is 652.

One more example: 50,000 – 7,444 = 42,556.

Step 1: The 5 is reduced by 1 to 4.
Step 2: And applying the formula to 7444 gives 2556.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 8000 – 123
(b) 80,000 – 3,462
(c) 50,000 – 7,477
(d) 900 – 33
(e) 600 – 47
Answers to Quiz
(a) 7877
(b) 76,538
(c) 42,523
(d) 867
(e) 553
Subtraction Lesson 15
“All from 9 and the Last From 10” (Part 5)
You can often use the “All from 9 and the Last From 10” formula when
giving or receiving change.
Suppose you want to know the change to expect from a $10 note when
buying something costing $6.82.
This is like finding the answer to $10 – $6.82.
You simply apply “All from 9 and the Last From 10” to 682 to get 318.
So the change you expect is $3.18.

Similarly, if you need $10 – $5.37.

Apply the formula to 537 to get 463:
$10 – $5.37 = $4.63.

And for $10 – $6.30.

Apply the formula to 630 to get 370:
$10 – $6.30 = $3.70.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) $10 – $3.45
(b) $10 – $7.89
(c) $10 – $1.66
(d) $10 – $6.07
(e) $10 – $4.80
(f) $10 – $1.10
Answers to Quiz
(a) $6.55
(b) $2.11
(c) $ 8.34
(d) $3.93
(e) $5.20
(f) $8.90
 Chapter Three: Multiplication
Multiplication Lesson 1
What Multiplication Really Is
Multiplication is simply repeated addition.
For example, 2 x 3 means two threes, or 3 + 3.
And 3 + 3 = 6.
So 2 x 3 = 6.

Similarly, 3 x 4 means three fours, or 4 + 4 + 4.

And 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.
So 3 x 4 = 12.
This simply means you can work out multiplications by adding.
So, 4 x 5 means four fives, or 5 + 5 + 5 + 5.
And 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20.
So 4 x 5 = 20.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these by adding:
(a) 2 x 5
(b) 3 x 3
(c) 2 x 7
(d) 7 x 3

(e) 4 x 2
(f) 4 x 4
(g) 5 x 3
(h) 3 x 5
Answers to Quiz
(a) 10
(b) 9
(c) 14
(d) 21
(e) 8
(f) 16
(g) 15
(h) 15
Multiplication Lesson 2
How Changing the Order Can Make Multiplying
Easier
You may have noticed in the previous Quiz that the last two questions (5 x 3
and 3 x 5) gave the same answer.
5 x 3 gives the same answer as 3 x 5. Both are 15.
It fact it’s always true that you can multiply in either order.
If you work out 2x3 and also 3x2 you will get the same answer.

So if you want 7 x 2, you can add seven twos: 2+2+2+2+2+2+2.

Or, alternatively you can change 7 x 2 to 2 x 7.
Then find two sevens 7+7.
But adding two sevens (we get 14) is easier than adding seven twos.
So this can save us a lot of work.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these. Change the order of the numbers when it makes the
calculation easier.
(a) 9 x 2
(b) 3 x 7
(c) 5 x 3
(d) 11 x 2

(e) 8 x 3
(f) 6 x 4
(g) 5 x 6
(h) 6 x 5
Answers to Quiz
(a) 18
(b) 21
(c) 15
(d) 22
(e) 24
(f) 24
(g) 30
(h) 30
Multiplication Lesson 3
World’s Easiest Multiplications: 0 and 1
Multiplying by zero is particularly easy.
If a number is multiplied by zero, you always get zero.
So, 9 x 0 = 0.
And that’s because 9 x 0 means you’ve got 9 zeros, which must be zero: any
number of zeros will only make zero.

Similarly, 78 x 0 = 0,
0 x 999 = 0 and so on.

Multiplying by one is also particularly easy.

Multiplying a number by 1 leaves the number unchanged.
For example, 1 x 8 = 8
and 77 x 1 = 77 and so on.
That’s because 1 x 8 means you’ve got one 8, so that’s just 8.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 9 x 0
(b) 0 x 7
(c) 67 x 0
(d) 2345 x 0

(e) 8 x 1
(f) 1 x 4
(g) 878 x 1
(h) 1 x 500
Answers to Quiz
(a) 0
(b) 0
(c) 0
(d) 0
(e) 8
(f) 4
(g) 878
(h) 500
Multiplication Lesson 4
The Two Times Table
Multiplying by 2 is called doubling.
Knowing your 2 times table is essential in mental calculation, so it’s worth
revising here.
1x2=2
2x2=4
3x2=6
4x2=8
5x2=10
6x2=12
7x2=14
8x2=16
9x2=18
10x2=20
Just remember the sequence: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20 going up in 2s.

You can also use a rhythm to remember the 2 times table.

For example, if you can’t remember 7 x 2, you can count through the
sequence in 2 groups of 3 and then go one more.
You’d say:
“2,4,6” (pause),
“8,10,12” (pause),
“14.”
So seven 2s are 14.
After a while you’ll find you know the table by heart, if you don’t already
know it.
Take the Quiz
Practice doubling:
(a) 9 x 2
(b) 4 x 2
(c) 6 x 2
(d) 10 x 2

(e) 7 x 2
(f) 5 x 2
(g) 3 x 2
(h) 8 x 2
Answers to Quiz
(a) 18
(b) 8
(c) 12
(d) 20
(e) 14
(f) 10
(g) 6
(h) 16
Multiplication Lesson 5
Multiples of Ten
“Multiples of 10” means the numbers 10, 20, 30, 40 and so on.
Once you can double the numbers 1 to 9, you can also double larger numbers
like 30, 80 and so on.

Because double 3 is 6, double 30 will be 60.

Notice that 3 is now a number of 10s instead of a number of units.

Similarly, 80 doubled will be 160, because 8 doubled is 16.

And 300 x 2 (which means 300 doubled) is 600.

Take the Quiz
Double these numbers:
(a) 40
(b) 70
(c) 90
(d) 400

(e) 800
(f) 3000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 80
(b) 140
(c) 180
(d) 800
(e) 1600
(f) 6000
Multiplication Lesson 6
Introducing Doubling for Easy Multiplication
To double a number like 34 you double the 10s and units separately.
So since 34 is 30 + 4:
Step 1: double 30 to get 60 (remember 60), and double 4 to get 8.
Step 2: Then add 60 and 8 to get 68.
So double 34 is 68.

In fact it’s better to just look at the digits.

For 34 you just double the 3 and the 4 to get 6 and 8, which means 68.

So to double 73:
Step 1: you double 7 and 3 to get 14 and 6.
Step 2: And putting these together you get 146.
So double 73 is 146.
Take the Quiz
Double these:
(a) 24
(b) 42
(c) 31
(d) 61

(e) 93
(f) 84
Answers to Quiz
(a) 48
(b) 84
(c) 62
(d) 122
(e) 186
(f) 168
Multiplication Lesson 7
Doubling with a Carry Digit
The doubling calculations we look at next involve a carry digit.

To double 35:
Step 1: you double 3 and 5 and get 6 and 10.
Step 2: Putting these together, you carry the 1 to the 6, 6 10 = 70.
So double 35 is 70.

And for double 27:

Step 1: you double 2 and 7 to get 4 and 14.
Step 2: Putting these together gives 4 14 = 54.
So double 27 is 54.

Similarly to double 68:

Step 1: you double 6 and 8 to get 12 and 16.
Step 2: Putting these together gives 12 16 = 136.
So double 68 is 136.
Take the Quiz
Double these:
(a) 45
(b) 36
(c) 47
(d) 65

(e) 78
(f) 29
Answers to Quiz
(a) 90
(b) 72
(c) 94
(d) 130
(e) 156
(f) 58
Multiplication Lesson 8
How To Double Bigger Numbers
In doubling 29 we split the number into 2 and 9.
This is the doubling method we used earlier, and we can extend it further.

To double 234 we:

Step 1: double 2, 3 and 4 to get 4, 6 and 8,
Step 2: and putting these together gives 468.
So 234 doubled is 468.

To double 347:
Step 1: double 3, 4 and 7 to get 6, 8 and 14.
(note that the 1 in the 14 will be carried to the left)
Step 2: Putting 6, 8, 14 together we get 6 8 14 = 694.
So double 347 is 694.

To double 474:
Step 1: double 4, 7 and 4 to get 8, 14 and 8,
Step 2: and putting 8, 14, 8 together gives 8 14 8 = 948.
So 474 doubled is 948.
Take the Quiz
Practice doubling these:
(a) 413
(b) 274
(c) 348
(d) 139

(e) 526
(f) 637
Answers to Quiz
(a) 826
(b) 548
(c) 696
(d) 278
(e) 1052
(f) 1274
Multiplication Lesson 9
Repeated Doubling
If a number can be doubled once it can be doubled two, three or more times.
Since 4 = 2x2, you can multiply a number by 4 by doubling it twice.

So for 7 x 4 you double 7 twice:

Step 1: you double 7 to get 14,
Step 2: and then double 14 to get 28.
So 7 x 4 = 28.

And for 23 x 4:
Step 1: you double 23 to get 46,
Step 2: and then double 46 to get 92.
So 23 x 4 = 92.

For 48 x 4:
Step 1: you double 48 to get 96,
Step 2: and then double 96 to get 192.
So 48 x 4 = 192.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 9 x 4
(b) 13 x 4
(c) 32 x 4
(d) 19 x 4
(e) 62 x 4
(f) 46 x 4
(g) 88 x 4
(h) 75 x 4
Answers to Quiz
(a) 36
(b) 52
(c) 128
(d) 76
(e) 248
(f) 184
(g) 352
(h) 300
Multiplication Lesson 10
Multiplying by 8
Because 8 = 2x2x2, you can multiply a number by 8 by doubling it three
times.

So to get 9 x 8 you can double 9 three times:

Step 1: double 9 to get 18,
Step 2: double 18 to get 36,
Step 3: then double 36 to get 72.
So 9 x 8 = 72.

Similarly, for 32 x 8 you double 32 three times:

Step 1: double 32 to get 64,
Step 2: double 64 to get 128,
Step 3: then double 128 to get 256.
So 32 x 8 = 256.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 14 x 8
(b) 41 x 8
(c) 22 x 8
(d) 53 x 8

(e) 33 x 8
(f) 29 x 8
Answers to Quiz
(a) 112
(b) 328
(c) 176
(d) 424
(e) 264
(f) 232
Multiplication Lesson 11
Multiplying by 10
Multiplying by 10 is simple. All you do is stick a zero on the end of the
number being multiplied.

7 x 10 = 70
6 x 10 = 60
49 x 10 = 490
and 10 x 171 = 1710

To multiply by 100 you just put two zeros after the number:
53 x 100 = 5300.
100 x 99 = 9900.

And to multiply by 1000 you put three zeros after the number:
So 53 x 1000 = 53000.
And 1000 x 5 = 5000
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 9 x 10
(b) 13 x 10
(c) 372 x 10
(d) 7 x 100
(e) 62 x 100
(f) 4016 x 100
(g) 88 x 1000
(h) 750 x 100
Answers to Quiz
(a) 90
(b) 130
(c) 3720
(d) 700
(e) 6200
(f) 401,600
(g) 88,000
(h) 75,000
Multiplication Lesson 12
An Easy Way to Multiply by 5
Since 5 is half of 10, the easy way to multiply by 5 is to multiply by 10 and
halve the result.

So, to multiply 7 by 5:
Step 1: multiply 7 by 10 to get 70,
Step 2: halve 70 to get 35.

For 16 x 5:
Step 1: put zero after 16 to get 160,
Step 2: halve 160 to get 80.
So 16 x 5 = 80.

And for 82 x 5:
Step 1: put zero after 82 to get 820,
Step 2: halve 820 to get 410.
So 82 x 5 = 410.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these by 5:
(a) 9
(b) 14
(c) 13
(d) 22

(e) 42
(f) 66
Answers to Quiz
(a) 45
(b) 70
(c) 65
(d) 110
(e) 210
(f) 330
Multiplication Lesson 13
Multiplying Larger Numbers by 5
To find 5 x 53 you need to put a zero on 53 and halve.
So you need to halve 530.
You’ll remember from the previous lesson that this can be done by splitting
530 into 500 and 30 and halving these.
Step 1: Half of 500 is 250.
Step 2: Half of 30 is 15.
Step 3: So add 250 and 15 to get 265.
So 5 x 53 = 265.

Similarly, for 36 x 5 you need to halve 360:

Step 1: Half of 300 is 150.
Step 2: Half of 60 is 30.
Step 3: Add 150 and 30 to get 180.
So 36 x 5 = 180.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these by 5:
(a) 21 (b) 32 (c) 19 (d) 43

(e) 35 (f) 79
Answers to Quiz
(a) 105
(b) 160
(c) 95
(d) 215
(e) 175
(f) 395
Multiplication Lesson 14
Multiplying by 9
If you look at the 9 times table you’ll see two interesting patterns:
1 x 9 = 09
2 x 9 = 18
3 x 9 = 27
4 x 9 = 36
5 x 9 = 45
6 x 9 = 54
7 x 9 = 63
8 x 9 = 72
9 x 9 = 81
10x9 = 90

First digit of the answer

Look carefully at the table above.
If you multiply 9 x 3, the first digit of the answer will be 2.
If you multiply 9 x 7, the first digit of the answer will be 6.
If you multiply 9 x 9, the first digit of the answer will be 8.
In other words, the first digit of the answer is always one less than the
number you’re multiplying by.

Second digit of the answer

Looking again at the table above, focus on the answer column.
Notice that the two digits in the answer always add up to 9.
4 x 9 = 36. And 3+6 = 9
7 x 9 = 63. And 6+3 = 9
9 x 9 = 81. And 8+1 = 9
This means that you can get the second digit of the answer by taking the
first digit from 9.

So for 7 x 9:
Step 1: take 1 from 7 to get 6 as the first digit.
Step 2: take this 6 from 9 to get 3 as the other digit.
So 7 x 9 = 63.

Similarly, for 8 x 9:
Step 1: take 1 from 8 to get 7 as the first digit.
Step 2: take this 7 from 9 to get 2 as the other digit.
So 8 x 9 = 72.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these by 9:
(a) 6
(b) 9
(c) 4
(d) 5

(e) 8
(f) 3
(g) 7
(h) 2
Answers to Quiz
(a) 54
(b) 81
(c) 36
(d) 45
(e) 72
(f) 27
(g) 63
(h) 18
Multiplication Lesson 15
Multiplying by 20, 300 etc.
In this lesson you’ll see how to use your skills with the multiplication tables
to multiply larger numbers. You’ll also extend those tables using the
doubling technique you learned before.

Suppose you need to find 6 x 20.

Because 20 = 2x10, you can multiply first by 2, and then by 10.
Step 1: 6 x 2 = 12.
Step 2: 12 x 10 = 120.
So 6 x 20 = 120.

To find 7 x 300.
Notice 300 = 3 x 100.
Step 1: 7 x 3 = 21.
Step 2: 21 x 100 = 2100.
So 7 x 300 = 2100.

And for 8 x 40,000.

Find 8 x 4 and put four zeros on (as 40,000 has four zeros).
Step 1: 8 x 4 = 32.
Step 2: 32 x 10,000 = 320,000.
So 8 x 40,000 = 320,000
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 7 x 50
(b) 4 x 90
(c) 30 x 8
(d) 7 x 800
(e) 6 x 300
(f) 4000 x 4
Answers to Quiz
(a) 350
(b) 360
(c) 240
(d) 5600
(e) 1800
(f) 16,000
Multiplication Lesson 16
How To Handle the Zeros in Larger Multiplications
It frequently happens that both the numbers being multiplied end in zeros.
For example: 400 x 70.
In such cases just ignore the zeros, multiply the numbers and put the zeros on
afterwards.
So for 400 x 70
Step 1: 4 x 7 = 28.
Step 2: There are three zeros in 400 x 70, so put three zeros after the 28 to
get 28,000.
So 400 x 70 = 28,000.

Similarly, for 8000 x 300:

Step 1: find 8 x 3 = 24.
Step 2: Since there are five zeros in 8000 x 300 put five zeros after the 24 to
get 2,400,000.
So 8000 x 300 = 2,400,000.
That’s two million, four hundred thousand.

Be careful with 50 x 80.

5 x 8 = 40 and you need to add two more zeros.
So you get 50 x 80 = 4000. You get three zeros altogether.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 40 x 30
(b) 90 x 200
(c) 700 x 700
(d) 60 x 500

(e) 4000 x 800

(f) 7000 x 8000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 1200
(b) 18,000
(c) 490,000
(d) 30,000
(e) 3,200,000
(f) 56,000,000
Multiplication Lesson 17
Extend Your Multiplication Tables Without
Memorizing
Another way in which the multiplication tables can be extended is by using
doubling, which we studied earlier.
Suppose you need to find 14 x 9.
Look carefully at this and you will see that 14 is double 7.
That means you can find 7 x 9 and double to get 14 x 9.
Step 1: 7 x 9 = 63.
Step 2: double 63 is 126.
So 14 x 9 = 126.

Similarly, for 7 x 16 you notice that 16 is 8 doubled.

So you can find 7 x 8 and double.
Step 1: 7 x 8 = 56.
Step 2: And double 56 is 112.
So 7 x 16 = 112.
Take the Quiz
(a) 16 x 6
(b) 18 x 6
(c) 14 x 7
(d) 6 x 14

(e) 7 x 18
(f) 18 x 8
Answers to Quiz
(a) 96
(b) 108
(c) 98
(d) 84
(e) 126
(f) 144
Multiplication Lesson 18
Double Twice For Even Greater Multiplication
Power
We can take this doubling one step further and solve multiplications by
doubling twice.
Look at 16 x 18.
You’ll notice that 16 is double 8, and 18 is double 9.
So you can find 8 x 9 and double twice:
Step 1: 8 x 9 = 72.
Step 2: Double 72 is 144.
Step 3: Double 144 is 288.
So 16 x 18 = 288.

Similarly, for 14 x 14.

14 is double 7, so you can find 7 x 7 and double twice.
Step 1: 7 x 7 = 49.
Step 2: Double 49 is 98.
Step 3: Double 98 is 196.
So 14 x 14 = 196.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 14 x 18
(b) 14 x 16
(c) 12 x 18
(d) 16 x 12
Answers to Quiz
(a) 252
(b) 224
(c) 216
(d) 192
Multiplication Lesson 19
Multiplying Three or More Numbers
There are occasions when we need to multiply three or more numbers
together.
For example, suppose you need 3 x 4 x 5.
You can start at the left and multiply the first two numbers. Then multiply the
result by the third number.
Step 1: 3 x 4 = 12.
Step 2: And 12 x 5 = 60.
So 3 x 4 x 5 = 60.

Similarly, for 2 x 3 x 4 x 2:
Step 1: 2 x 3 = 6.
Step 2: 6 x 4 = 24.
Step 3: 24 x 2 = 48.
So 2 x 3 x 4 x 2 = 48.
Take the Quiz
Now multiply these:
(a) 3 x 3 x 3
(b) 2 x 2 x 2
(c) 6 x 3 x 5
(d) 4 x 3 x 2 x 2
(e) 2 x 3 x 9
(f) 5 x 6 x 7
Answers to Quiz
(a) 27
(b) 8
(c) 90
(d) 48
(e) 54
(f) 210
Multiplication Lesson 20
Multiplying a Two-Digit Number by a Single Digit
Multiplying by a single digit is a common task when working with numbers.
Here you’ll see how we can do this mentally from left to right.

2-digit Number Times 1-digit number

To multiply 32 x 3 you simply multiply each digit in 32 by 3.
Step 1: 3 x 3 = 9.
Step 2: 2 x 3 = 6.
So 32 x 3 = 96.
Notice that we work from left to right, so we start with the 3 in 32.

Similarly, 83 x 2.
Step 1: 8 x 2 = 16.
Step 2: 3 x 2 = 6.
So 83 x 2 = 166.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these from left to right:
(a) 23 x 3
(b) 73 x 3
(c) 52 x 4
(d) 81 x 3
(e) 92 x 4
(f) 94 x 2
Answers to Quiz
(a) 69
(b) 219
(c) 208
(d) 243
(e) 368
(f) 188
Multiplication Lesson 21
How To Handle Carry Digits in Multiplication
So far we have avoided any carry digits, so let’s look at that next.

Let’s find 73 x 6 from left to right.

Step 1: 7 x 6 = 42.
Step 2: 3 x 6 = 18.
Step 3: Now because 18 is a 2-digit number the 1 has to be carried back to
the 42 from the first step.
We write it like this:
4218 = 438.
So 73 x 6 = 438.

Let’s take another example: 54 x 3.

Step 1: 5 x 3 = 15. Remember 15.
Step 2: 4 x 3 = 12.
Step 3: Combine 15 and 12:
1512 = 162.
So 54 x 3 = 162.

Similarly, 57 x 5.
Step 1: 5 x 5 = 25. Remember 25.
Step 2: 7 x 5 = 35.
Step 3: Combine 25 and 35:
2535 = 285.
So 57 x 5 = 285.

One more example: 67 x 8.

Step 1: 6 x 8 = 48. Remember 48.
Step 2: 7 x 8 = 56.
Step 3: Combine 48 and 56:
4856 = 536.
We mentally add 5 to 48 to get 53.
So 67 x 8 = 536.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these from left to right:
(a) 34 x 7
(b) 73 x 5
(c) 64 x 6
(d) 73 x 7
(e) 77 x 7
(f) 99 x 9
Answers:
(a) 238
(b) 365
(c) 384
(d) 511
(e) 539
(f) 891
 Chapter Four: Division
Division Lesson 1
Easy Division by Using Halving
Halving is simply the opposite of doubling.
So half of 6 is 3.

Half of 48 is 24.
You just halve 4 and 8 to get 2 and 4.

And half of 684 is 342.

You just halve the 6, 8 and 4 to get 3, 4 and 2.
Take the Quiz
Halve these:
(a) 8
(b) 46
(c) 88
(d) 246
(e) 680
(f) 806
Answers to Quiz
(a) 4
(b) 23
(c) 44
(d) 123
(e) 340
(f) 403
Division Lesson 2
Halving Two Digit Numbers
Halving 30, 50, 70, 90 can be done like this:
Think of 30 as 20 + 10.
Then halving 20 + 10 gives 10 and 5, which is 15.
So half of 30 is 15.

Similarly, to halve 90 you can think of 90 as 80+10.

Then halving 80+10 gives 40 and 5, which is 45.
So half of 90 is 45.

To halve 58 you can halve 50 and 8.

That gives you 25 and 4 which add up to 29.
So half of 58 is 29.

And for half of 76 you halve 70 and 6.

That gives 35 and 3 which add up to 38.

So half of 76 is 38.
Take the Quiz
Halve these, mentally:
(a) 70
(b) 74
(c) 38
(d) 92

(e) 56
(f) 98
Answers to Quiz
(a) 35
(b) 37
(c) 19
(d) 46
(e) 28
(f) 49
Division Lesson 3
Extending Halving to Three-Digit Numbers
Halving 3-digit numbers is similar to the halving you’ve done so far. The
only difference is that you have hundreds as well as tens and units.

To halve 164 you’ll need to halve 100, 60 and 4.

Step 1: Halving 100, 60 and 4 you get 50, 30 and 2.
Step 2: Add 50 and 30 to get 80,
Step 3: and add 2 to 80 to get 82.
So half of 164 is 82.

Similarly, to halve 756 you’ll need to halve 700, 50 and 6.

Step 1: Halving 700, 50 and 6 you get 350, 25 and 3.
Step 2: Add 350 and 25 to get 375,
Step 3: and add 3 to 375 to get 378.
So half of 756 is 378.
Take the Quiz
Halve these:
(a) 186
(b) 652
(c) 348
(d) 818

(e) 526
(f) 358
(g) 716
(h) 998
Answers to Quiz
(a) 93
(b) 326
(c) 174
(d) 409
(e) 263
(f) 179
(g) 358
(h) 499
Division Lesson 4
Basic Division Explained
Just as multiplication is repeated addition, so division is repeated
subtraction. And this is the key to understanding division.

Suppose you want 12 divided by 3.

Here you are trying to find out how many times 3 can be subtracted from 12.
Subtracting 3s you get:
(12), 9, 6, 3, 0.
So you can subtract 3 from 12 four times.
We write 12 ÷ 3 = 4, which means 12 divided by 3 is 4.

Similarly, 15 ÷ 5 = 3 because you can take 3 5s from 15.

Or, you can count up in 5s until you reach 15: 5, 10, 15: that’s 3 5s.
Either way, you know there are 3 5s in 15.

And for 40 ÷ 8 you can count up in 8s until you reach 40:

8, 16, 24, 32, 40. And that’s 5 8s.
So 40 ÷ 8 = 5.
Or else, knowing that 40 is five 8s the answer is 5.
Take the Quiz
Solve these divisions:
(a) 10 ÷ 5
(b) 8 ÷ 2
(c) 20 ÷ 10
(d) 16 ÷ 4
(e) 21 ÷ 7
(f) 30 ÷ 5
Answers to Quiz
(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 2
(d) 4
(e) 3
(f) 6
Division Lesson 5
Dividing by 2
When you were halving numbers in the earlier lessons you were in fact
dividing by 2. Dividing by 2 is the same as halving.
So to divide 58 by 2:
You find half of 58 which means finding half of 50 and half of 8.
Step 1: Half of 50 is 25.
Step 2: Half of 8 is 4.
Step 3: So half of 58 is 25+4 which is 29.

Similarly, 32 ÷ 2 = 16.
Step 1: Half of 30 is 15.
Step 2: Half of 2 is 1.
Step 3: So half of 32 is 15+1 which is 16.
Take the Quiz
Divide these:
(a) 72 ÷ 2
(b) 78 ÷ 2
(c) 38 ÷ 2
(d) 92 ÷ 2

(e) 56 ÷ 2
(f) 98 ÷ 2
Answers to Quiz
(a) 36
(b) 39
(c) 19
(d) 46
(e) 28
(f) 49
Division Lesson 6
Dividing by 4 and 8
You can divide a number by 4 by halving it twice.
So if you want 68 ÷ 4 you just:
Step 1: halve 68 to get 34,
Step 2: halve 34 to get 17.
So 68 ÷ 4 = 17.

Similarly, for 172 ÷ 4 you halve 172 twice.

Step 1: Half of 172 is 86,
Step 2: Half of 86 is 43,
So 172 ÷ 4 = 43.
This halving method can be extended further, because if you halve a number
three times you’re dividing by 8 (because 8 is 2x2x2).
So for 184 ÷ 8 you halve 184 three times:
Step 1: Half of 184 is 92;
Step 2: Half of 92 is 46;
Step 3: And half of 46 is 23.
So 184 ÷ 8 is 23.
Take the Quiz
Divide these:
(a) 68 ÷ 4
(b) 84 ÷ 4
(c) 96 ÷ 4
(d) 132 ÷ 4
(e) 96 ÷ 8
(f) 224 ÷ 8
Answers to Quiz
(a) 17
(b) 21
(c) 24
(d) 33
(e) 12
(f) 28
Division Lesson 7
Understanding Remainders
Dividing one number by another may not always work exactly.
For example, 7 ÷ 3.
there are 2 3s in 7 and 1 left over.
This left over number is called the remainder.
We say 7 ÷ 3 is 2 remainder 1.
This means there are two 3s in 7 and 1 remainder.

Similarly, 32 ÷ 9 is 3 remainder 5.
That’s because 3 9s are 27.
And because you’re dividing 32 there are 5 left over (32 – 27 = 5).
Take the Quiz
Divide these:
(a) 10 ÷ 3
(b) 10 ÷ 4
(c) 10 ÷ 7
(d) 17 ÷ 2
(e) 22 ÷ 6
(f) 19 ÷ 8
Answers to Quiz
(a) 3 remainder 1
(b) 2 remainder 2
(c) 1 remainder 3
(d) 8 remainder 1
(e) 3 remainder 4
(f) 2 remainder 3
Division Lesson 8
Dividing Longer Numbers
The division method you were using in the previous lesson was for divisions
that have 1-digit answers, or answer plus remainder.
Here we extend this method to longer numbers, that have answers of 2 or
more digits.

Now suppose you want 78 ÷ 3.

Step 1: Working from left to right as usual, you begin by dividing 7 by 3 and
getting 2 remainder 1.
718 ÷ 3 = 2?
2 is the first digit of the answer and the remainder, 1, is prefixed to the 8 to
make 18, or 18.
Step 2: Now divide this 18 by 3 to get 6.
So you have 718 ÷ 3 = 26.
78 ÷ 3 = 26.

Take another example: 91 ÷ 7

Step 1: 9 ÷ 7 = 1 remainder 2.
Mentally you have: 921 ÷ 7 = 1?
Step 2: 21 ÷ 7 = 3.
So you have 921 ÷ 7 = 13.
91 ÷ 7 = 13.

For 156 ÷ 6
Step 1: 15 ÷ 6 = 2 remainder 3.
(We begin by dividing 15 by 6 because we can’t divide 1 by 6.)
1536 ÷ 6 = 2?
Step 2: 36 ÷ 6 = 6.
So you have 1536 ÷ 6 = 26.
156 ÷ 6 = 26.
Take the Quiz
(a) 57 ÷ 3
(b) 92 ÷ 4
(c) 85 ÷ 5
(d) 90 ÷ 6
(e) 132 ÷ 3
(f) 252 ÷ 4
(g) 182 ÷ 7
(h) 378 ÷ 9
Answers to Quiz
(a) 19
(b) 23
(c) 17
(d) 15
(e) 44
(f) 63
(g) 26
(h) 42
Division Lesson 9
How to Divide Large Multiples of Ten
Find 70,000 ÷ 2.
Here you can just divide the 70 by 2 and put three zeros after it.
70 ÷ 2 = 35.
So 70,000 ÷ 2 = 35,000.

Find 9,000 ÷ 2.
Here think of 9000 in two parts: 90 / 00.
Then divide 90 by 2 and put the two zeros after it.
90 ÷ 2 = 45.
So 9,000 ÷ 2 = 4500 or 4,500.

Find 2,100,000 ÷ 7.
Notice you can divide the 21 by 7. So think of 2100000 in two parts: 21 /
00000.
Then divide 21 by 7 and put the five zeros after it.
21 ÷ 7 = 3.
So 2,100,000 ÷ 7 = 300000 or 300,000.
Take the Quiz
Divide these:
(a) 6000 ÷ 3
(b) 20,000 ÷ 5
(c) 3,000 ÷ 6
(d) 15,000 ÷ 3
(e) 140,000 ÷ 7
(f) 3,600 ÷ 9
Answers to Quiz
(a) 2000
(b) 4000
(c) 500
(d) 5000
(e) 20,000
(f) 400
 Chapter Five: Fractions
Introduction to Fraction Formats
Fractions are written with one number above another number. Nowadays,
thank to electronic media, you have two ways to write fractions.

Format 1: In school and in textbooks, you see fractions written using the
traditional horizontal bar method like this:

Format 2: When writing on a computer, the horizontal bar method is usually

not practical. So instead, you write fractions like this:

The / symbol is called the solidus or “forward slash”.

Both formats mean exactly the same thing. And because this is a Kindle e-
book, we use the solidus format.
Fractions Lesson 1
Basic Fractions using Halves
To understand fractions means to understand one simple thing: one whole
one can be divided up equally in different ways.
A whole one can be divided up into 2 halves, or into 3 thirds or 4 quarters or
5 fifths, and so on.

If a whole one is divided into two equal parts then each part is called one
half.
One half is written 1/2, and two halves is written 2/2, and three halves is
written 3/2.

But 2 halves make a whole one so 2/2 = 1

And 10/2 = 5, because every two halves make one whole one.

And 17/2 = 8 1/2 because every 2 in 17 will give you one whole one, and
there are eight 2s in 17.
The one half left over from those 17 means you’ve got the odd half.
Take the Quiz
Simplify these fractions:
(a) 5/2
(b) 6/2
(c) 11/2
(d) 14/2
(e) 9/2
(f) 21/2
Answers to Quiz
(a) 2 1/2
(b) 3
(c) 5 1/2
(d) 7
(e) 4 1/2
(f) 10 1/2
Fractions Lesson 2
Adding Halves
Adding halves is easy.
If you want to add 3/2 and 5/2, that means add 3 halves and 5 halves, so the
answer is 8 halves, or 8/2.
But of course 8 halves make 4 whole ones, so the answer is 3/2 + 5/2 = 4.

And for 3/2 + 6/2

Three halves plus six halves make nine halves, written as 9/2.
This simplifies to 4 1/2

Now consider 2 1/2 + 1/2

Here you have a mix of whole numbers and fractions.
Adding the whole numbers gives you 2 + 1 = 3
Adding the fractions gives you 1/2 + 1/2 = 1
Put them together you get 3 + 1 = 4.
So 2 1/2 + 1 1/2 = 4
Take the Quiz
(a) 9/2 + 1/2
(b) 5/2 + 7/2
(c) 4/2 + 3/2
(d) 2 1/2 + 3 1/2
(e) 1 1/2 + 3 1/2
(f) 8/2 + 4 1/2
Answers to Quiz
(a) 5
(b) 6
(c) 3 1/2
(d) 6
(e) 5
(f) 8 1/2
Fractions Lesson 3
Simplifying Quarters
What you’ve been doing with halves can be done with different types of
fractions, like quarters, thirds, fifths, tenths and so on.
One quarter is written like this: 1/4
Two quarters is written 2/4
and two quarters make one half: 2/4 = 1/2
Three quarters is written 3/4
And four quarters is 4/4 which is one whole one = 1.

Knowing that every four quarters equals one whole one lets you simplify
fractions like 5/4.
5/4 = 1 1/4 because four quarters make a whole one, with one quarter left
over.

Similarly, 8/4 = 2 because we have 8 quarters and every 4 quarters make one
whole.
Take the Quiz
Simplify these:
(a) 7/4
(b) 11/4
(c) 12/4
(d) 10/4
(e) 13/4
(f) 6/4
Answers to Quiz
(a) 1 3/4
(b) 2 3/4
(c) 3
(d) 2 1/2
(e) 3 1/4
(f) 1 1/2
Fractions Lesson 4
Adding Quarters
Earlier we were adding halves, so now let’s look at adding quarters.

Find 1 1/4 + 2 3/4

Step 1: adding the whole ones, 1 + 2 = 3.
Step 2: adding the fractions, 1/4 + 3/4 = 1.
Step 3: add these, 3 + 1 = 4.
So 1 1/4 + 2 3/4 = 4.

Similarly for 7 3/4 + 2 3/4

Step 1: adding the whole ones, 7 + 2 = 9.
Step 2: adding the fractions, 3/4 + 3/4 = 6/4 = 1 1/2
Step 3: add these, 9 + 1 1/2 = 10 1/2
So 7 + 2 = 10.
Take the Quiz
Simplify these:
(a) 1 1/4 + 1 1/4
(b) 2 1/4 + 1 3/4
(c) 5 3/4 + 1 3/4
(d) 3/4 + 11 1/4
(e) 17 1/4 + 28 1/4
(f) 6 3/4 + 9 3/4
Answers to Quiz
(a) 2 1/2
(b) 4
(c) 7 1/2
(d) 12
(e) 45 1/2
(f) 16 1/2
Fractions Lesson 5
Adding Halves and Quarters
Suppose we need 2 1/4 + 3 1/2
Here we have a mixture of quarters and halves as well as a mixture of whole
numbers and fractions.
Step 1: adding the whole ones, 2 + 3 = 5
Step 2: adding the fractions, 1/4 + 1/2 = 3/4
Step 3: add these, 5 + 3/4 = 5 3/4
So 2 1/4 + 3 1/2 = 5 3/4

Here’s one more:

Calculate 7 3/4 + 9 1/2
Step 1: adding the whole ones, 7 + 9 = 16
Step 2: adding the fractions, 3/4 + 1/2 = 1 1/4
Step 3: add these, 16 + 1 1/4 = 17 1/4
Take the Quiz
(a) 3 1/4 + 5 1/2
(b) 1 1/2 + 7 3/4
(c) 40 3/4 + 50 1/2
(d) 6 1/2 + 5 3/4
Answers to Quiz
(a) 8 3/4
(b) 9 1/4
(c) 91 1/4
(d) 12 1/4
Fractions Lesson 6
Fractions Beyond Halves and Quarters
The same methods we have used for halves and quarters also apply to other
fractions.
So we can think of a whole one being divided into 2 halves or 3 thirds or 4
quarters, and so on.
We can write this as: 1 = 2/2 1 = 3/3 1 = 4/4 and so on forever.

5/5 equals one whole one.

And 6/5 equals 1 1/5 because five fifths of the six fifths make a whole one
and we have six fifths.

Similarly, 9/7 equals 1 2/7 because 7/7 = 1.

Also, 16/5 = 3 1/5 because 5/5 = 1 and so 15/3 = 5.

The easy way to simplify fractions is to divide the top number (known as
the ‘numerator’) by the bottom number (known as the ‘denominator’).
So using the previous example, to simplify 16/5
Divide 16 by 5 to get 3 remainder 1.
So 16/5 = 3 1/5

Similarly for 20/3

Divide 20 by 3 to get 6 remainder 2.
So 20/3 = 6 2/3.
Take the Quiz
Simplify these:
(a) 9/4
(b) 23/3
(c) 19/3
(d) 7/2
(e) 36/5
(f) 11/6
(g) 60/7
Answers to Quiz
(a) 2 1/4
(b) 7 2/3
(c) 6 1/3
(d) 3 1/2
(e) 7 1/5
(f) 1 5/6
(g) 8 4/7
Fractions Lesson 7
Adding Fractions with the Same Denominator
Here we look at adding two fractions which have the same denominator.
Find 3/7 + 2/7
Clearly three sevenths and two sevenths make five sevenths.
Or 3/7 + 2/7 = 5/7
You just add the numerators (the denominator is unchanged).

Find 2 2/5 + 3 1/5

Here we have a mixture of whole numbers and fractions. We add the whole
numbers and the fractions separately.
Step 1: add the whole numbers, 2 + 3 = 5
Step 2: add the fractions, 2/5 + 1/5 = 3/5
So 2 2/5 + 3 1/5 = 5 3/5
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 2/5 + 2/5
(b) 3/8 + 2/8
(c) 5/7 + 1/7
(d) 1 2/6 + 3 3/6
(e) 3 1/5 + 4 3/5
(f) 5 1/3 + 2 1/3
Answers to Quiz
(a) 4/5
(b) 5/8
(c) 6/7
(d) 4 5/6
(e) 7 4/5
(f) 7 2/3
Fractions Lesson 8
Adding an Extra Whole One
Find 2 2/5 + 3 4/5.
Step 1: Here when we add whole numbers and fractions we get:
2 2/5 + 3 4/5 = 5 6/5
Step 2: And since 6/5 = 1 1/5 we get another 1 whole to add to the 5 already
there:
So 2 2/5+ 3 4/5 = 6 1/5

For 7 6/11 + 5 9/11

Step 1: We add whole numbers and fractions to get:
7 6/11 + 5 9/11 = 12 15/11
Step 2: And 15/11 = 1 4/11 so we get another 1 whole to add to the 12
already there:
So 7 6/11 + 5 9/11 = 13 4/11
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 1 4/8 + 1 7/8
(b) 2 5/7 + 3 5/7
(c) 4 5/6 + 7 2/6
(d) 3 3/5 + 4 3/5
(e) 5 2/3 + 2 2/3
(f) 4 1/3 + 2/3
Answers to Quiz
(a) 3 3/8
(b) 6 3/7
(c) 12 1/6
(d) 8 1/5
(e) 8 1/3
(f) 5
Fractions Lesson 9
Subtracting Fractions
Subtracting fractions is very similar to adding them.
To find 6/7 – 4/7 you simply subtract the numerators: 6 – 4 = 2.
So 6/7 – 4/7 = 2/7.

And if whole numbers are included, you subtract those too.

7 6/9 – 3 2/9 = 4 4/9,
where 7 – 3 = 4,
and 6/9 – 2/9 = 4/9
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 5/7 – 2/7
(b) 10/11 – 4/11
(c) 3 4/8 – 1 1/8
(d) 7 7/10 – 3 6/10
Answers to Quiz
(a) 3/7
(b) 6/11
(c) 2 3/8
(d) 4 1/10
Fractions Lesson 10
Breaking a Whole One into Fractions
It can happen that the fraction you’re subtracting is more than the one you’re
subtracting from.
Suppose you need 3 4/7 – 6/7.
Step 1, take away what you can:
You can only take 4/7 of the 6/7 away, so you still need to take another 2/7
off.
3 4/7 – 6/7 = 3 – 2/7.
Step2, break one whole into fractions: 1 = 7/7.
So you think of one of those 3 whole ones as 7/7 , and take 2/7 from that:
3 – 2/7 = 2 5/7
So 3 4/7 – 6/7 = 2 5/7.

Here’s another example:

Find 7 1/5 – 3 4/5.
Step 1, take away what you can:
Subtracting the whole numbers you get: 7 – 3 = 4.
You can only take 1/5 of the 4/5 away, so you still need to take another 3/5
off.
So 7 1/5 – 3 4/5 = 4 – 3/5.
Step2, break one whole into fractions: 1 = 5/5.
And this 3/5 will come off one of those 4 whole ones.
So 4 – 3/5 = 3 2/5.
Therefore 7 1/5 – 3 4/5 = 3 2/5.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 5 4/9 – 6/9
(b) 3 1/3 – 1 2/3
(c) 8 1/15 – 3 3/15
(d) 5 – 2 2/3
Answers to Quiz
(a) 4 7/9
(b) 1 2/3
(c) 4 13/15
(d) 2 1/3
Fractions Lesson 11
Fraction of a Number - Part One
One of the most common tasks we need to do with fractions is finding some
fraction of a number.
But this is very easy as we just use the division method we were studying
earlier.

Suppose we need to find 1/5 of 20.

We simply divide 20 by 5 to get 4.
So 1/5 of 20 = 4.

Similarly to find 1/7 of 35.

We divide 35 by 7 to get 5.
So 1/7 of 35 = 5.

And 1/3 of 600 = 200.

You just divide 600 by 3.
Take the Quiz
Solve these:
(a) 1/3 of 30
(b) 1/5 of 30
(c) 1/10 of 30
(d) 1/7 of 28
(e) 1/4 of 200
(f) 1/8 of 56
Answers to Quiz
(a) 10
(b) 6
(c) 3
(d) 4
(e) 50
(f) 7
Fractions Lesson 12
Fraction of a Number - Part Two
Find 3/5 of 20.
Step 1: We first find 1/5 of 20 by dividing it by 5. This gives us 4.
Step 2: Then if 1/5 of 20 is 4, 3/5 of 20 must be three times as much, which
is 12.
So 3/5 of 20 is 12.

Find 4/7 of 35.

Step 1: 1/7 of 35 is 5.
Step 2: So 4/7 of 35 will be 4 x 5 = 20.
So 4/7 of 35 is 20.

Just divide the number by the denominator, then multiply the result by
the numerator.
Take the Quiz
Solve these:
(a) 2/3 of 15
(b) 4/5 of 20
(c) 7/10 of 50
(d) 3/7 of 21
(e) 3/4 of 8
(f) 3/8 of 40
Answers to Quiz
(a) 10
(b) 16
(c) 35
(d) 9
(e) 6
(f) 15
Fractions Lesson 13
How To Calculate Fractions of Larger Numbers
Sometimes we need to find fractions of large numbers or amounts of money.
Find 4/5 of 3,000.
Step 1: 1/5 of 3,000 is found by dividing 3,000 by 5. That’s 600.
Step 2: So 4/5 of 3,000 will be 4 x 600 = 2,400.
So 4/5 of 3,000 = 2,400.

Find 4/7 of $14,000,000.

Step 1: 1/7 of 14,000,000 is 2,000,000.
Step 2: So 4/7 will be 4 x 2,000,000 = 8,000,000.
So 4/7 of $14,000,000 = $8,000,000.
Take the Quiz
Solve these:
(a) 2/3 of 1,800
(b) 4/5 of 150,000
(c) 7/10 of $500
(d) 3/7 of $42,000
(e) 3/4 of $3,600
(f) 3/8 of $2,400,000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 1200
(b) 120,000
(c) $350
(d) $18,000
(e) $2700
(f) $900,000
 Chapter Six: Decimals
Decimals Lesson 1
An Introduction to Decimals
Our number system is called the ‘decimal’ system, because it’s based on the
number 10
In this system the position of a digit is very important.
So in the number 777, the 7 on the left means 700, because of its position.
And the 7 in the middle is 70, because it’s in the 10s position.
Finally, the 7 at the end means 7 units.

You will already be familiar with numbers containing decimal points. For
example: 1234.567 has a decimal point followed by three digits.
The decimal point shows where the whole number part of the number ends.
Past the decimal point we go into fractions: first tenths, then hundredths,
then thousandths, and so on.
So in 1234.567, the 5 means 5 tenths, the 6 means 6 hundredths, and the 7
means 7 thousandths.
Take the Quiz
What fraction does 7 represent in each of these decimals:
(a) 37.68
(b) 176.564
(c) 0.7906
(d) 19.9796
(e) 63.78
(f) 386.567
(g) 0.8706
(h) 0.007
Answers to Quiz
(a) 7 units
(b) 7 tens
(c) 7 tenths
(d) 7 hundredths
(e) 7 tenths
(f) 7 thousandths
(g) 7 hundredths
(h) 7 thousandths
Decimals Lesson 2
How to Convert Decimals to Fractions
Decimals and Fractions are simply two different ways of expressing the same
number.
Sometimes you’ll want to work with decimals, other times with fractions. For
this reason it’s important you can convert between decimals and fractions.

Suppose we want to change 0.08 into a fraction.

We can write 0.08 as 8/100.
But this fraction can be reduced to a simpler fraction, because 4 divides into
both 8 and 100.
So 0.08 = 8/100 = 2/25.

Similarly, 0.005 = 5/1000 = 1/200.

We simply 5/1000 by dividing by 5.

And 0.4 = 4/10 = 2/5

Take the Quiz
Write these numbers as fractions in their simplest form:
(a) 0.6
(b) 0.002
(c) 0.04
(d) 0.0005
(e) 0.5
(f) 0.05
Answers to Quiz
(a) 3/5
(b) 1/500
(c) 1/25
(d) 1/2000
(e) 1/2
(f) 1/20
Decimals Lesson 3
Converting More Decimals to Fractions
Now let’s convert numbers like 0.037 that have more than one digit after the
decimal point.
Well, 0.037 = 37/1000.
The last digit is 7 and this is in the 1/1000 place, so we get 37/1000.

Similarly, 0.0483 = 483/10,000, because 3 is in the ten thousandths position.

And 0.15 = 15/100 because the last digit, 5, is in the hundredths place.
But 15/100 reduces to 3/20.
So 0.15 = 3/20.
Take the Quiz
Write these decimals as simplified fractions:
(a) 0.079
(b) 0.179
(c) 0.0179
(d) 0.39
(e) 0.35
(f) 0.25
(g) 0.66
(h) 0.222
Answer to Quiz
(a) 79/1000
(b) 179/1000
(c) 1790/10,000
(d) 39/100
(e) 7/20
(f) 1/4
(g) 33/50
(h) 111/500
Decimals Lesson 4
Converting Whole Number Fractions to Decimals
How can we convert numbers like 3.6 that have a whole number part (the 3),
and a fraction part (the 0.6)?
We simply treat the whole and fraction parts separately.
So for 3.6 ...
Step 1: Look at the fraction part first, 0.6 = 6/10 = 3/5.

Step 2: Combine with the whole part, 3, to get 3.6 = 3 3/5.

To convert 17.03 to a fraction

Step 1: Look at the fraction part, 0.03 = 3/100.

Step 2: Combine with the whole part, 17, to get 17.03 = 17 3/100.

Similarly, 9.123 = 9 123/1000

Take the Quiz
Write these as fractions:
(a) 6.7
(b) 6.8
(c) 6.08
(d) 7.12
(e) 31.31
(f) 1.001
(g) 2.102
(h) 5.75
Answers to Quiz
(a) 6 7/10
(b) 6 4/5
(c) 6 2/25
(d) 7 3/25
(e) 31 31/100
(f) 1 1/1000
(g) 2 51/500
(h) 5 3/4
Decimals Lesson 5
Converting Fractions to Decimals
Up until now, we have converted decimals to fractions. In this section we
will do the reverse: convert fractions to decimals.
So, given 7/100 you can write it as 0.07.
That’s because hundredths go in the second place after the decimal point.

Similarly, 5/1000 = 0.005.

What’s more, 2/10 = 0.2.

And 3/10,000 = 0.0003.

Take the Quiz
Write these fractions as decimals:
(a) 9/1000
(b) 1/100
(c) 8/10
(d) 6/10,000
(e) 5/100
(f) 2/10
Answers to Quiz
(a) 0.009
(b) 0.01
(c) 0.8
(d) 0.0006
(e) 0.05
(f) 0.2
Decimals Lesson 6
How to Add Decimals
Adding decimal numbers is easy as long as you remember to combine like
with like.

So in adding 0.02 + 0.3 you do not add 2 and 3, because the 2 is hundredths
and the 3 is tenths.
In detail, adding 0.02 + 0.3 from left to right goes like this:
Step 1: Add the whole numbers.
You get 0 + 0 = 0
Step 2: Add the tenths.
You get 0 + 3 = 3
Step 3: Add the hundredths.
You get 2 + 0 = 2
Combine these and you get 0.32
So 0.02 + 0.3 = 0.32

Find 0.5 + 0.004.

0.5 + 0.004 = 0.504.
Find 0.12 + 0.036.
0.12 + 0.036 = 0.156.

You just mentally pick out the tenths in each number and add them, then the
hundredths, and so on.
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 0.7 + 0.02
(b) 0.7 + 0.2
(c) 0.07 + 0.2
(d) 0.007 + 0.02
(e) 0.34 + 0.1
(f) 0.52 + 0.076
Answers to Quiz
(a) 0.72
(b) 0.9
(c) 0.27
(d) 0.027
(e) 0.44
(f) 0.596
Decimals Lesson 7
How To Handle Decimal Carry Digits
In the previous examples there were no carry digits. But we deal with carry
digits in the usual way: carrying 1 to the left whenever there is a carry.

Find 0.67 + 0.15.

Step 1: adding the tenths, 6 + 1 = 7. Remember 0.7.
Step 2: adding the hundredths, 7 + 5 = 12 (here the 1 will be carried).
Step 3: combine the 0.7 and 12, 0.712 = 0.82.
So 0.67 + 0.15 = 0.82.

Find 0.083 + 0.29.

Step 1: adding the tenths, 0 + 2 = 2. Remember 0.2.
Step 2: adding the hundredths, 8 + 9 = 17.
Step 3: combine the 0.2 and 17, 0.217 = 0.37.
Step 4: for the thousandths we have only the 3, which gives 0.373.
So 0.083 + 0.29 = 0.373.

Find 0.62 + 0.8.

Step 1: adding the tenths, 6 + 8 = 14. Remember 1.4.
Here the 1 is carried over to the units place.
Step 2: for the hundredths we have just the 2, which gives 1.42.
So 0.62 + 0.8 = 1.42.
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 0.58 + 0.27
(b) 0.46 + 0.9
(c) 0.46 + 0.09
(d) 0.07 + 0.09
(e) 0.55 + 0.287
(f) 0.835 + 0.832
Answers to Quiz
(a) 0.85
(b) 1.36
(c) 0.55
(d) 0.16
(e) 0.837
(f) 1.667
Decimals Lesson 8
Easy Way to Add Decimals and Whole Numbers
Where is the decimal point in a whole number like 17?
It’s at the end of the number, but it’s not written.
So if you have to find 17 + 0.6 the result is 17.6.
Think of the 17 with a point and a zero after it: 17.0 + 0.6 = 17.6.

Similarly 3 + 1.59 = 4.59.

Think of the 3 as 3.00, so 3.00 + 1.59 = 4.59.
You put two zeros here because there are two digits after the point in 1.59.

And 18.6 + 36 = 54.6.

Here 18 and 36 are added to get 54.
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 8 + 0.3
(b) 88 + 1.3
(c) 7.8 + 9
(d) 0.3 + 26
(e) 19 + 7.6
(f) 91 + 9.99
Answers to Quiz
(a) 8.3
(b) 89.3
(c) 16.8
(d) 26.3
(e) 26.6
(f) 100.99
Decimals Lesson 9
How to Subtract Decimals
In this lesson we look at subtracting decimal numbers.
And, as with addition, we need to be sure to combine like with like when
we’re subtracting.

Suppose we need to find 45.67 – 0.2

The 2 here comes immediately after the decimal point and therefore must be
subtracted from the 6, because the 6 is also immediately after the point.
So 45.67 – 0.2 = 45.47.

Similarly 45.67 – 0.03.

Here we’re subtracting 3. And the 3 is two places after the decimal point.
It will therefore come off the 7, which is also two places after the point.
So 45.67 – 0.03 = 45.64.

And 123.4567 – 0.005 = 123.4517.

The 5 will come off the 6 in the first number, because both are three places
after the decimal point. And 6 – 5 = 1:
123.4567 – 0.005 = 123.4517.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 7.89 – 0.3
(b) 31.444 – 0.03
(c) 5.0898 – 0.07
(d) 0.0147 – 0.003
(e) 0.8181 – 0.01
(f) 102.999 – 0.007
Answers to Quiz
(a) 7.59
(b) 31.414
(c) 5.0198
(d) 0.0117
(e) 0.8081
(f) 102.992
Decimals Lesson 10
Multiplying by Powers of Ten
“Powers of 10” means all the numbers 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 and so on.
Multiplying whole numbers by powers of 10 is easy. For example, to find
123 x 100 we simply put the two zeros after the 123 to get 12,300.
In this lesson you’ll see how this method is extended, to multiplying and
dividing numbers with a decimal point in them, by powers of 10.

Suppose we need 1.234 x 10.

Because the 10 has one zero we move the point one place to the right.
So 1.234 x 10 = 12.34.

And 1.234 x 100 = 123.4.

To multiply by 100 we move the point two places to the right, because 100
has two zeros.

Similarly, 34.6154 x 1000 = 34615.4.

Here 1000 has three zeros, so the point is moved three places to the right.

For 0.0345 x 100 we get 3.45.

Note here that the zeros at the beginning can be ignored, so we can leave
them out, and just put 3.45.

And for 0.7 x 10 we get 7.

Take the Quiz
(a) 4.32 x 10
(b) 55.444 x 10
(c) 55.444 x 100
(d) 6.01234 x 1000
(e) 0.345 x 10
(f) 0.0888 x 1000
(g) 0.8 x 10
(h) 0.09 x 100
Answers to Quiz
(a) 43.2
(b) 554.44
(c) 5544.4
(d) 6012.34
(e) 3.45
(f) 88.8
(g) 8
(h) 9
Decimals Lesson 11
Multiplying Powers of Ten and Inserting Zeros
If we need 1.2 x 100 we need to move the point two places to the right.
But 1.2 has only one digit to the right of the point.
To move the point two places we need to insert a zero.
We get 1.2 x 100 = 120 as the answer.
Remember, if there’s no point written in a number it’s at the end.
So the point in 120 is at the end, which is two places from where it was.

Similarly for 4.5 x 1000 we need to move the point three places, and that
means inserting two zeros.
So 4.5 x 1000 = 4500.
Look carefully at 4500 here: the point was between the 4 and the 5, and now
it’s at the end. So it has moved three places.

Find 12.3 x 100.

Moving the point two places we get 1230 as the answer.
Take the Quiz
(a) 4.3 x 100
(b) 4.3 x 1000
(c) 0.5 x 100
(d) 6.45 x 1000
(e) 7.034 x 1000
(f) 0.6 x 1000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 430
(b) 4300
(c) 50
(d) 6450
(e) 7034
(f) 600
Decimals Lesson 12
Dividing by Powers of 10
In the previous lesson, we multiplied powers of ten by moving the decimal
point the correct number of places to the right.
In this lesson we do the opposite. To divide by a power of 10, move the point
to the left as many places as zeros in the power of 10

To find 643.21 ÷ 10.

Because the 10 has one zero we move the point one place to the left.
So 643.21 ÷ 10 = 64.321.

For 643.21 ÷ 100.

100 has two zeros here, so we move the point two places to the left.
And so 643.21 ÷ 100 = 6.4321.

Similarly, 703.89 ÷ 1000 = 0.70389.

We move the point three places to the left here, because 1000 has three zeros.

For 731 ÷ 100.

In the number 731 the point will be at the end of the number.
So moving the point two places to the left we get:
731 ÷ 100 = 7.31.
Take the Quiz
(a) 14.3 ÷ 10
(b) 505.5 ÷ 100
(c) 505.5 ÷ 1000
(d) 6.4 ÷ 10
(e) 345 ÷ 10
(f) 878 ÷ 1000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 1.43
(b) 5.055
(c) 0.5055
(d) 0.64
(e) 34.5
(f) 0.878
Decimals Lesson 13
Dividing Powers of Ten and Inserting Zeros
Suppose we need 2.3 ÷ 100
We need to move the point two places to the left.
And we can only do this if we insert a zero before the 2 and place the point to
the left of it, like this: .023
So 2.3 ÷ 100 = 0.023
If this seems confusing look closely at 0.023
The point was between the 2 and 3, and has now moved 2 places to the left.

Similarly for 0.77 ÷ 1000

To move the point 3 places to the left we must insert 3 zeros.
So 0.77 ÷ 1000 = 0.00077

And for 1.1 ÷ 1000

We must insert 2 zeros.
So 1.1 ÷ 1000 = 0.0011

Find 7 ÷ 100
The point is after the 7 so move it 2 places from here to the left.
We get 7 ÷ 100 = 0.07
Take the Quiz
Divide these:
(a) 4.3 ÷ 100
(b) 55.5 ÷ 1000
(c) 5.5 ÷ 1000
(d) 6 ÷ 100
(e) 0.67 ÷ 10
(f) 0.67 ÷ 1000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 0.043
(b) 0.0555
(c) 0.0055
(d) 0.06
(e) 0.067
(f) 0.00067
Decimals Lesson 14
How To Multiply Decimals
Multiplying decimal numbers by a whole number is similar to ordinary
multiplication.
The difference when multiplying decimals is you insert the decimal point
when you come to it.

Suppose we need to find 3.4 x 2

Step 1: Starting at the left we multiply 3 by 2 to get 6
Step 2: Insert the decimal point next. So far we have 6.
Step 3: Then multiply 4 by 2 to get 6.8
So 3.4 x 2 = 6.8

To find 5.2 x 3
Step 1: Multiply 5 by 3 to get 15
Step 2: Insert the decimal point next. This gives us 15.
Step 3: Then multiply 2 by 3 to get 15.6
So 5.2 x 3 = 15.6
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 4.2 x 4
(b) 5.32 x 3
(c) 13.4 x 2
(d) 6.023 x 3
(e) 12.34 x 2
Answers to Quiz
(a) 16.8
(b) 15.96
(c) 26.8
(d) 18.069
(e) 24.68
Decimals Lesson 15
Multiplying Decimals with Carry Digits
If carry digits come up we handle them in the usual way.
To find 5.7 x 3
Step 1: Multiply 5 by 3 to get 15
Step 2: Insert the decimal point next. We have 15.
Step 3: Then multiply 7 by 3 to get 21
Because 21 is a two-digit number in a single decimal place, we need to carry
the 2 over to the left.
So we have 15.21, and the 2 will be carried over to the 15 to give 17:
15.21 = 17.1
So 5.7 x 3 = 17.1

For 7.6 x 4.
Step 1: Multiply 7 by 4 to get 28
Step 2: Insert the decimal point next. We have 28.
Step 3: Then multiply 6 by 4 to get 24
So we have 28.24 = 30.4, because 28 + 2 = 30.
So 7.6 x 4 = 30.4.

To find 0.8 x 9.
Here we start with the decimal point, and we only need to find 8 x 9.
So we get 0.72.
And the 7 will be carried to the left to give:
0.8 x 9 = 7.2.
Take the Quiz
Multiply these:
(a) 4.3 x 4
(b) 5.6 x 7
(c) 8.4 x 3
(d) 6.5 x 5
(e) 7.4 x 7
(f) 0.6 x 8
Answers to Quiz
(a) 17.2
(b) 39.2
(c) 25.2
(d) 32.5
(e) 51.8
(f) 4.8
 Chapter Seven: Percentages
Percentages Lesson 1
Introducing Percentages
A percentage is just a fraction with 100 in the denominator.
So 1% means 1/100.
We pronounce 1% as “1 percent”.
Similarly 2% means 2/100.
And 23% means 23/100.

Sometimes the fraction can be simplified.

So 2/100 can be reduced down to 1/50 (we divide by 2).

Similarly 40% means 40/100.

And 40/100 can be reduced down to 2/5.
(Here we divide 40 and 100 by 20)
So 40% = 2/5.

Any percentage can therefore be changed to a fraction. And sometimes those

fractions can be reduced down.
Take the Quiz
Write these percentages as fractions, simplified where possible.
(a) 3%
(b) 4%
(c) 5%
(d) 10%
(e) 21%
(f) 88%
(g) 50%
(h) 75%
Answers to Quiz
(a) 3/100
(b) 1/25
(c) 1/20
(d) 1/10
(e) 21/100
(f) 22/25
(g) 1/2
(h) 3/4
Percentages Lesson 2
Finding 1% of a Number
One of the main uses of percentages is to find a percentage of a number.

Let’s focus on 1%.

Find 1% of 600.
Because 1% means 1/100 . . . we find 1% by dividing the number by 100.
So 1% of 600 means divide 600 by 100.
And 600 ÷ 100 = 6.
So 1% of 600 = 6.

Similarly for 1% of 5000.

We divide 5000 by 100, which is 50.
So 1% of 5000 = 50.

And 1% of 30 = 0.3.
Because 30 ÷ 100 = 0.3.

Also 1% of 123 = 1.23.

Because 123 ÷ 100 = 1.23.
Take the Quiz
Find 1% of these numbers:
(a) 700
(b) 1200
(c) 9000
(d) 34,000
(e) 80
(f) 9
(g) 450
(h) 777
Answers to Quiz
(a) 7
(b) 12
(c) 90
(d) 340
(e) 0.8
(f) 0.09
(g) 4.5
(h) 7.77
Percentages Lesson 3
Finding Any Percentage of a Number
Once we’ve found 1% of a number we can find any other percentage.

So if for example you need 3% of 7,000.

We just find 1% of 7,000 and multiply the result by 3.
Step 1: 1% of 7,000 = 70.
Step 2: So 3% of 7,000 = 3 x 70 = 210.
3% of 7,000 = 210.

Find 8% of 15,000.
First find 1%:
Step 1: 1% of 15,000 = 150.
Step 2: So 8% = 8 x 150 = 1200.
Therefore 8% of 15,000 = 1,200.

Find 23% of 4,000.

Step 1: 1% of 4,000 = 40.
Step 2: So 23% = 23 x 40 = 920.
Therefore 23% of 4,000 = 920.
Take the Quiz
Solve these:
(a) 2% of 300
(b) 7% of 4,000
(c) 31% of 500
(d) 11% of 20,000
(e) 60% of 700
(f) 30% of 150,000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 6
(b) 280
(c) 155
(d) 2200
(e) 420
(f) 45,000
Percentages Lesson 4
Common Percentages You Need to Know
Although you are now able to find any percentage of any number, certain
percentages often come up which are even easier to work with.
These percentages are 50%, 25%, and 75%.

50% = 1/2.
That’s because 50% = 50/100 = 1/2.
And that means that instead of finding 1% of the number and then
multiplying by 50, you can just halve the number.
So 50% of 34 = 17.

25% = 1/4
That’s because 25% = 25/100 = 1/4.
And the easy way to find a quarter is to halve twice.
So to find 25% of 36 you halve 36 twice to get 9.

75% = 3/4.
Since 75% = 3/4 you can find 25% (one quarter), then multiply by 3 to get
three quarters.
The easiest way is to halve twice, then multiply by 3.
So to find 75% of 52.
Step 1: Halving 52 twice you get 13.
Step 2: And 3 x 13 = 39.
So 75% of 52 = 39.
Take the Quiz
Find:
(a) 50% of 70
(b) 50% of 234
(c) 25% of 80
(d) 25% of 120
(e) 25% of 60,000
(f) 75% of 80
(g) 75% of 160
(h) 75% of 12
Answers to Quiz
(a) 35
(b) 117
(c) 20
(d) 30
(e) 15,000
(f) 60
(g) 120
(h) 9
Percentages Lesson 5
How To Find 10%
Another easy percentage is 10%

10% = 1/10.
In other words, to find 10% of any number, just divide by 10.
Dividing by 10 is very easy.

Find 10% of 900.

We simply divide 900 by 10, which is 90.
So 10% of 900 = 90.

And 10% of 85 is 8.5.

Because 85 ÷ 10 = 8.5.

What about 20%?

20% is just twice 10%. So we find 20% of a number by dividing by 10 and
doubling.

Find 20% of 40.

We divide 40 by 10 to get 10%, and then multiply by 2 to get 20%.
Step 1: 40 ÷ 10 = 4.
Step 2: 2 x 4 = 8.
So 20% of 40 = 8.

Similarly to find 30% of 2,200.

We find 10% and multiply by 3.
Step 1: 2200 ÷ 10 = 220.
Step 2: And 3 x 220 = 660.
So 30% of 2,200 = 660.

And for 70% of 40.

We find 10% and multiply by 7.
Step 1: 70 ÷ 10 = 7.
Step 2: And 4 x 7 = 28.
So 70% of 40 = 28.
Take the Quiz
Find:
(a) 20% of 70
(b) 20% of 400
(c) 30% of 8,000
(d) 60% of 30
(e) 40% of 20,000
(f) 90% of 3,000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 14
(b) 80
(c) 2400
(d) 18
(e) 8000
(f) 2700
Percentages Lesson 6
Finding 5% and 2.5%
From the fact that 10% = 1/10 we can get other useful percentages too.
For example, 5% will be half of 10%.
2.5% will be half of a half of 10%.

Find 5% of 7,000.
Step 1: 10% of 7,000 = 700.
Step 2: So 5% will be half of 700, which is 350.
Therefore 5% of 7,000 = 350.

Find 2.5% of 120.

Step 1: 10% of 120 = 12.
Step 2: So 2.5% will be half of half of 12, which is 3.
Therefore 2.5% of 120 = 3.

Find 2.5% of $30,000.

Step 1: 10% of 30,000 = 3,000.
Step 2: So 2.5% will be half of half of 3,000, which is 750.
Therefore 2.5% of $30,000 = $750.
Take the Quiz
Find:
(a) 5% of 400
(b) 5% of 80
(c) 5% of 5,000
(d) 2.5% of 160
(e) 2.5% of 400
(f) 2.5% of $2,000
Answers to Quiz
(a) 20
(b) 4
(c) 250
(d) 4
(e) 10
(f) $50
Percentages Lesson 7
How To Calculate Percentages of Decimals
Now let’s look at some examples involving decimals.

Find 8% of 30.
First find 1%:
Step 1: 1% of 30 = 0.3.
Step 2: So 8% = 8 x 0.3 = 2.4.
Therefore 8% of 30 = 2.4.

Find 7% of 120.
Step 1: 1% of 120 = 1.2.
Step 2: So 7% = 7 x 1.2 = 8.4.
Therefore 7% of 120 = 8.4.
Take the Quiz
Find:

(a) 2% of 70
(b) 4% of 65
(c) 10% of 20
(d) 11% of 30
(e) 60% of 80
(f) 30% of 140
Answers to Quiz
(a) 1.4
(b) 2.6
(c) 2
(d) 3.3
(e) 48
(f) 42
Percentages Lesson 8
Increase by a Percentage
Often we need to increase a number by a percentage.
Maybe we get a pay increase of 6% and we want to calculate how much this
will be.
In this lesson we look at how to calculate these increases.

Increase 400 by 20%.

This means that 400 is to be increased by 20% of 400.
So we can find 20% of 400 and add this to 400.
Step 1: Find 20%. 20% of 400 = 80.
Step 2: Add this to 400. 400 + 80 = 480.
So 400 increased by 20% = 480.

Similarly, increase 80 by 30%.

We find 30% of 80 and add this to 80.
Step 1: Find 30%. 30% of 80 = 24.
Step 2: Add this to 80. 80 + 24 = 104.
So 80 increased by 30% = 104.

And to increase $420 by 5%.

We find 5% of 420 and add this to 420.
Step 1: Find 5%. 5% of 420 = 21.
Step 2: Add this to 420. 420 + 21 = 441.
So $420 increased by 5% = $441.
Take the Quiz
Increase:
(a) 70 by 10%
(b) 44 by 50%
(c) 56 by 25%
(d) 400 by 1%
(e) 5,000 by 2%
(f) 16,000 by 75%
Answers to Quiz
(a) 77
(b) 66
(c) 70
(d) 404
(e) 5100
(f) 28,000
Percentages Lesson 9
Increases of 100% and Beyond
100% is equal to 1. So 100% of something means all of it.
And 200% equals 2. Therefore, 200% means double.
300% means 3 times. And so on.

What does 150% mean?

It means all of it plus 50% of it.
So 150% of 60 will be 90.
That’s 60 plus half of 60 (60 + 30 = 90).

Similarly 120% means all of it plus 20% of it.

Find 120% of 80.
120% of 80 means 80 + 20% of 80.
So that’s 80 + 16, which is 96.
120% of 80 = 96.

Find 125% of 900.

125% of 900 means 900 + 25% of 900.
So that’s 900 + 225, which is 1125.
125% of 900 = 1125.
Take the Quiz
Find:
(a) 150% of 70
(b) 150% of 300
(c) 125% of 80
(d) 110% of 60
(e) 130% of 4000
(f) 200% of 123
Answers to Quiz
(a) 105
(b) 450
(c) 100
(d) 66
(e) 5200
(f) 246
Percentages Lesson 10
Reducing by a Percentage
Percentage reductions are common, especially in stores. For example, a
retailer may reduce the price of a coat in a sale by 15%.
Here’s how to calculate percentage reductions.

Reduce 600 by 20%.

This means that 600 is to be decreased by 20% of 600.
So we can find 20% of 600 and take this off 600.
Step 1: Find 20%. 20% of 600 = 120.
Step 2: Take this off 600. 600 – 120 = 480.
So 600 decreased by 20% = 480.

A coat priced at $90 is discounted by 40%. How much will the coat cost?
We need to find 40% of $90, to get the discount. And then take this off $90.
Step 1: Find 40%. 40% of 90 = 36.
Step 2: Take this off 90. 90 – 36 = 54.
So the coat will cost $54.

I made a loss of 8% on my investment of $300. How much is it worth

now?
We need to find 8% of $300, to get the loss. And then take this off $300.
Step 1: Find 8%. 8% of 300 = 24.
Step 2: Take this off 300. 300 – 24 = 276.
My investment is worth $276.
Take the Quiz
Reduce:
(a) 70 by 10%
(b) 44 by 25%
(c) 7,000 by 30%
(d) 400 by 1%
(e) 200 by 7%
(f) 16,000 by 75%
Answers to Quiz
(a) 63
(b) 33
(c) 4900
(d) 396
(e) 186
(f) 4000
Percentages Lesson 11
Converting a Percentage to a Decimal
In previous lessons we have looked at decimals, and we have looked at
percentages.
In this lesson we’ll look at how decimals and percentages are connected, and
how to convert from one to the other.
This will give us a better understanding of both, and therefore more
confidence in dealing with them.

Suppose we need to convert 17% into its decimal form.

17% means 17/100.
And 17/100 = 0.17.
So we convert a percentage to a decimal by first converting the
percentage to a fraction.
We get 17% = 0.17.
And here we spot the easy way is just to move the decimal point 2 places to
the left to change directly from percentage to decimal.

So to change a percentage to a decimal: Move the decimal point 2 places to

the left.

So 83% = 0.83.

And 55% = 0.55.

For 40% we get 0.4.

That’s because 0.40 is just the same as 0.4, and there’s no need to have that
zero on the end.
Take the Quiz
Convert to a decimal:
(a) 32%
(b) 88%
(c) 30%
(d) 50%
(e) 99%
(f) 10%
Answers to Quiz
(a) 0.32
(b) 0.88
(c) 0.3
(d) 0.5
(e) 0.99
(f) 0.1
Percentages Lesson 12
More Percentage to Decimal Conversions
Now what about 3%?
Moving the decimal point 2 places to the left gives 0.03.
So 3% = 0.03.

For 2 1/2%
Think of 2 1/2 as 2.5
Then move the point 2 places to the left to get 0.025.
So 2% = 0.025.

Similarly, 0.1% = 0.001.

Because if you move the point in 0.1 two places to the left you get 0.001.

And 230% = 2.3.

Because moving the point in 230 two places to the left gives 2.3.

Remember: Move the decimal point 2 places to the left.

Take the Quiz
Convert to a decimal:
(a) 7%
(b) 7.5%
(c) 9 1/2%
(d) 12 1/2%
(e) 0.5%
(f) 1.2%
(g) 150%
(h) 360%
Answers to Quiz
(a) 0.07
(b) 0.075
(c) 0.095
(d) 0.125
(e) 0.005
(f) 0.012
(g) 1.5
(h) 3.6
Percentages Lesson 13
Converting a Decimal to a Percentage
Now let’s look at the reverse process: converting a decimal to its percentage.
It won’t be any surprise to know that we simply: Move the decimal point 2
places to the right.
We move the point to the right instead of to the left.

So to convert 0.37 to a percentage . . .

Move the point 2 places to the right to get 37.
So 0.37 = 37%.

And 0.11 = 11%.

Similarly, 0.8 = 80%.

Moving the point in 0.8 two places to the right gives 80.

Similarly 0.1 = 10%.

Take the Quiz
Convert to a percentage:
(a) 0.92
(b) 0.31
(c) 0.44
(d) 0.2
(e) 0.9
(f) 0.60
Answers to Quiz
(a) 92%
(b) 31%
(c) 44%
(d) 20%
(e) 90%
(f) 60%
Percentages Lesson 14
More Decimal to Percentage Conversions
Convert 0.07 to a percentage . . .
Moving the point 2 places to the right we get 7%.
So 0.07 = 7%.

And 0.01 = 1%.

Similarly, 0.008 = 0.8%.

Because moving the point in 0.008 two places to the right gives 0.8.

For 1.3 we get 130%.

Because moving the point in 1.3 two places to the right gives 130.

What about 0.123?

Moving the point 2 places to the right gives 12.3.
So 0.123 = 12.3%.

And 0.065 = 6.5% or 6%.

Now you know how to convert any percentage to a decimal and any decimal
to a percentage.
Take the Quiz
Convert to a percentage:
(a) 0.02
(b) 0.12
(c) 0.125
(d) 1.4
(e) 1.05
(f) 0.234
(g) 0.033
(h) 0.005
Answers to Quiz
(a) 2%
(b) 12%
(c) 12.5%
(d) 140%
(e) 105%
(f) 23.4%
(g) 3.3%
(h) 0.5%
Percentages Lesson 15
Changing Decimals to Fractions - Part One
We have studied factions and decimals separately. Here we see how to
convert any given decimal to its equivalent fraction.
In the lesson after this one you’ll see how to do the opposite – convert
fractions to decimals.

Convert 0.3 to a fraction.

The 3 here is immediately after the decimal point. So it’s in the tenths place.
Therefore 0.3 equals 3 tenths.
So 0.3 = 3/10

Similarly, 0.9 = 9/10

And for 0.4

We get 4/10 but we can reduce this down to 2/5
So 0.4 = 2/5

Similarly, 0.2 = 1/5

Because we get 2/10 which reduces to 1/5
Take the Quiz
Convert to fractions (reduce where possible):
(a) 0.7
(b) 0.8
(c) 0.1
(d) 0.6
(e) 0.5
Answers to Quiz
(a) 7/10
(b) 4/5
(c) 1/10
(d) 3/5
(e) 1/2
Percentages Lesson 16
Changing Decimals to Fractions - Part Two
As you will remember:
The numerator is the top number in a fraction.
The denominator is the bottom number in a fraction.

Now look at 0.31.

There are 2 digits after the decimal point, so we will have a fraction with a
denominator of 100.
That’s because the last digit in 0.31 is in the hundredths place, so we can
think of the number as 31 hundredths.
So 0.31 = 31/100

In 0.123 the last digit is in the thousandths place so the denominator is

1000.
And the numerator will be 123.
So 0.123 = 123/1000

In 0.077 the last digit is again in the thousandths place so the denominator is
1000.
And the numerator will be 77.
So 0.077 = 77/1000

And 0.009 = 9/1000

For 0.0333 the last digit is in the ten thousandths place so the denominator
is 10,000.
And the numerator will be 333
So 0.0333 = 333 / 10,000
Take the Quiz
Convert to fractions:
(a) 0.43
(b) 0.043
(c) 0.0043
(d) 0.651
(e) 0.103
(f) 0.1237
(g) 0.009
(h) 0.99
Answers to Quiz
(a) 43/100
(b) 430/10,000
(c) 43/10,000
(d) 651/1000
(e) 103/1000
(f) 1237/10,000
(g) 9/1000
(h) 99/100
Percentages Lesson 17
Changing Decimals to Fractions - Part Three
The number to the left of the decimal point may not be zero.
Suppose we have 1.07
We know that the part after the point is 7/100
And we just add the whole 1 to the left of the point onto this.
So 1.07 = 1 7/100

Similarly, 8.3 = 8 3/10

And 3.8 = 3 4/5

Because 8/10 reduces to 4/5

Also 5.05 = 5 1/20

Because 5/100 reduces to 1/20
Take the Quiz
Convert to fractions (reduce in b, c and f):
(a) 2.9
(b) 3.6
(c) 19.5
(d) 9.07
(e) 8.23
(f) 20.06
Answers to Quiz
(a) 2 9/10
(b) 3 3/5
(c) 19 1/2
(d) 9 7/100
(e) 8 23/100
(f) 20 3/50
 Chapter Eight: Estimating
The Power of an Estimate
Here’s a secret.
When working with numbers, you don’t always need an exact answer.
Sometimes all you want is an approximation.
If you’re a journalist reporting on a football match, and you’re told there are
18,234 people at the match, you don’t quote the exact number: you give an
estimate, an approximation.
So you’d say there are 18,000 supporters.
18,000 is a correct estimate of the number 18,234 if you estimate to the
nearest thousand.

But you might approximate 18,234 to 20,000.

This is less accurate, but it’s correct to the nearest 10,000.

Similarly, the number 6,837 can be rounded to 7,000 because it’s nearer to
7,000 than 6,000.
Note that the words “approximated”, “estimated” and “rounded” mean the
same thing.
Estimating Lesson 1
Rounding to the Nearest Hundred
If you need to give the number 734 to the nearest hundred, the answer will be
700.
This is because 734 is nearer to seven hundreds than any other number of
hundreds.

And 373 is 400 when rounded to the nearest hundred. It’s closer to 400 than
300.

Notice that the 734 in the first example was “rounded down” to 700,
because 700 is below 734.
In contrast the 373 in the second example was “rounded up” to 400, because
400 is above 373.
So sometimes we round up and sometimes we round down.

One other point before we practice rounding to the nearest hundred:

Suppose you need to round 850 to the nearest hundred. Is it closest to 800
or 900?
In fact it’s exactly in the middle between the two. And in such cases it’s
generally agreed that we round up.
So 850 to the nearest hundred is 900.
Take the Quiz
Round to the nearest hundred:
(a) 397
(b) 937
(c) 709
(d) 167
(e) 151
(f) 149
(g) 650
(h) 88
Answers to Quiz
(a) 400
(b) 900
(c) 700
(d) 200
(e) 200
(f) 100
(g) 700
(h) 100
Estimating Lesson 2
Rounding to the Nearest Thousand
We may need to round to the nearest thousand, or ten thousand, or million
etc.

If you have to round 4,388 to the nearest thousand:

Step 1: you spot first of all that the number is between 4,000 and 5,000
Step 2: since the 388 part is below 500 (half of 1,000) you can ignore it and
round the number down to 4,000.

Similarly, to round 8,641 to the nearest thousand:

Step 1: the number is between 8,000 and 9,000
Step 2: since the 641 part is over 500 (half of 1,000) you round up and give
the answer as 9,000.
Take the Quiz
Round to the nearest thousand:
(a) 3,771
(b) 3,177
(c) 7,765
(d) 4,099

(e) 8,500
(f) 6,479
Answers:
(a) 4,000
(b) 3,000
(c) 8,000
(d) 4,000
(e) 9,000
(f) 6,000
Estimating Lesson 3
Estimating Larger Numbers to the Nearest
Thousand
Sometimes we need to round bigger numbers, of five digits or more, to the
nearest thousand.

Suppose you need to round 56,789 to the nearest thousand.

Think of the number as 56,789. That is, we separate the thousands from the
rest.
Step 1: You have 56 thousands here, plus the 789. So the number is between
56,000 and 57,000.
Step 2: Since the 789 is over 500 (half of 1,000) you round the number up to
57,000.

Estimate 272,456 to the nearest thousand.

Step 1: Focus on the 272 thousands. So the number is between 272,000 and
273,000.
Step 2: Since the 456 is less than 500 you ignore it and round the number
down to 272,000.

Find 8,345,810 to the nearest thousand.

Step 1: Here you have 8,345 thousands, plus the 810. So the number is
between 8,345,000 and 8,346,000.
Step 2: Since the 810 is over 500 you round the number up to 8,346,000.
Take the Quiz
Round to the nearest thousand:
(a) 17,328
(b) 55,727
(c) 91,318
(d) 29,678

(e) 3,444,345
(f) 7,616,777
Answers to Quiz
(a) 17,000
(b) 56,000
(c) 91,000
(d) 30,000
(e) 3,444,000
(f) 7,617,000
Estimating Lesson 4
Rounding to the Nearest Million
Now let’s round 6,348,431 to the nearest million.
Think of the number as: 6,348,431. That is, we separate the millions from the
rest.
Step 1: Here we have 6 millions, plus the 348,431. So this number is between
6,000,000 and 7,000,000.
Step 2: Since the 348,431 is less than 500,000 (half of a million) you ignore
it and round the number down to 6,000,000.

Round 35,825,747 to the nearest million.

Think of the number as: 35,825,747. That is, we separate the 35 millions
from the rest.
Step 1: We have 35 millions, plus the rest. So this number is between
35,000,000 and 36,000,000.
Step 2: Since the first digit after 35 is 8 you round the number up to
36,000,000.

Round 459,521,000 to the nearest million.

Think of the number as: 459,521,000. That is, we separate the 459 millions
from the rest.
Step 1: We have 459 millions, plus the rest. So this number is between
459,000,000 and 460,000,000.
Step 2: Since the first digit after 459 is 5 you round the number up to
460,000,000.
Take the Quiz
Round to the nearest million:
(a) 2,432,444
(b) 8,621,567
(c) 13,900,757
(d) 83,088,888
(e) 56,808,777
(f) 234,555,666
Answers to Quiz
(a) 2,000,000
(b) 9,000,000
(c) 14,000,000
(d) 83,000,000
(e) 57,000,000
(f) 235,000,000
Estimating Lesson 5
Rounding to Ten Thousand and a Hundred
Thousand
Now let’s round 58,431 to the nearest ten thousand.
The ten thousands column is where the 5 is, in the 5th column.
So think of the number as: 58,431.
Step 1: Here we have 5 ten thousands, plus the 8,431. So this number is
between 50,000 and 60,000.
Step 2: Since the first digit is 8, round the number up to 60,000.

Round 243,891 to the nearest ten thousand.

The ten thousands column is again the 5th column so think of the number like
this:
243,891.
Step 1: We have 24 ten thousands, plus the 3,891. So this number is between
240,000 and 250,000.
Step 2: Since the first digit is 3, round the number down to 240,000.

Round 243,891 to the nearest hundred thousand.

The hundred thousands column is the 6th column so think of the number like
this:
243,891.
Step 1: We have 2 hundred thousands, plus the 43,891. So this number is
between 200,000 and 300,000.
Step 2: Since the first digit is 4, round the number down to 200,000.
Take the Quiz
Round to the nearest ten thousand:

(a) 38,647
(b) 65,072
(c) 518,908
(d) 871,444

Round to the nearest hundred thousand:

(e) 526,765
(f) 358,020
(g) 753,000
(h) 6,345,678
Answers to Quiz
(a) 40,000
(b) 70,000
(c) 520,000
(d) 870,000
(e) 500,000
(f) 400,000
(g) 800,000
(h) 6,300,000
Chapter Nine: Dates
Common Date Calculations
We all need to know the various units of time and dates as we use them very
often.
In this lesson you’ll be reminded of these units and how they’re connected
and converted.
Then you’ll see some common calendar calculations.

Dates Lesson 1
How To Convert Units of Time
We all need to know the various units of time and dates as we use them very
often.
In this lesson you’ll be reminded of these units and how they’re connected
and converted.
Then you’ll see some common calendar calculations.

It’s obviously important to know the various units that time is measured in.
So here are a few reminders.
60 seconds = 1 minute
60 minutes = 1 hour
24 hours = 1 day
7 days = 1 week
12 months = 1 year
365 days = 1 year
366 days = 1 leap year (29th February is the extra day every 4 years)
There are about 52 weeks in a year.

Converting Between Units

From these basic numbers you can work out other things.
For example: how many days in 6 weeks?
Every week has 7 days.
So there will be 6 x 7 days in 6 weeks.
And 6 x 7 = 42.
So 6 weeks = 42 days.

How many minutes in 20 hours?

There are 60 minutes in every hour.
So there will be 20 x 60 minutes in 20 hours.
And 20 x 60 = 1200.
So 20 hours = 1200 minutes.
Take the Quiz
Solve these:
(a) How many minutes in 30 hours?
(b) How many hours in 2 days?
(c) How many months in 5 years?
(d) How many seconds in 5 minutes?
(e) How many days in 9 weeks?
Answers to Quiz
(a) 1800 minutes
(b) 48 hours
(c) 60 months
(d) 300 seconds
(e) 63 days
Dates Lesson 2
How Many Days Between Two Months
This kind of question often comes up:
How many days from June 25th to July 10th?
In this case we can find the number of days to the end of June and add the 10
days of July on.
Step 1: Since June has 30 days there are 5 days from 25th June to the end of
the month.
Step 2: Add on those 10 July days, 5 + 10 = 15.
So there are 15 days from June 25th to July 10th.

How many days from December 13th to January 25th?

We find the number of days to the end of December and add the 25 days of
January on.
Step 1: Since December has 31 days there are 18 days from 13th December to
the end of the month.
Step 2: Add on those 25 January days, 18 + 25 = 43.
So there are 43 days from December 13th to January 25th.
Take the Quiz
Calculate these:
(a) How many days from May 27th to June 5th?
(b) How many days from January 17th to February 10th?
(c) How many days from August 1st to September 9th?
(d) How many days from April 9th to May 19th?
Answers to Quiz
(a) 9 days
(b) 24 days
(c) 39 days
(d) 40 days
Dates Lesson 3
How Many Days Between Several Months
The number of days in the month varies:
“30 days hath September, April, June and November.
All the rest have 31.
Except February, which has 28 days, but 29 in a leap year.”

How many days from March 9th to May 3rd?

Here we have days in March, April and May.
We’ll find the number of days to the end of March,
add on the days in April,
and then add the 3 days of May on.
Step 1: Since March has 31 days there are 22 days from March 9th to the end
of the month.
Step 2: Add on the 30 days for the whole of April, 22 + 30 = 52.
Step 3: Add those 3 May days, 52 + 3 = 55.
So there are 55 days from March 9th to May 3rd.

How many days from September 20th to November 5th?

We have days in September, October and November.
Step 1: Since September has 30 days there are 10 days from September 20th
to the end of the month.
Step 2: Add on the 31 days for the whole of October, 10 + 31 = 41.
Step 3: Add those 5 November days, 41 + 5 = 46.
So there are 46 days from September 20th to November 5th.
Take the Quiz
Solve these:
(a) How many days from April 27th to June 3rd?
(b) How many days from July 28th to September 7th?
(c) How many days from May 11th to July 20th?
Answers to Quiz
(a) 37 days
(b) 41 days
(c) 70 days
Dates Lesson 4
What Day of the Week Will It Be?
Here is another type of question that often comes up.
If today is Monday, what day of the week will it be in 10 days’ time?
Since there are 7 days in a week, it will be Monday again in 7 days’ time.
We have 10 days so we need to go 3 days on from Monday, which brings us
to Thursday.

If today is Friday, what day of the week will it be in 22 days’ time?

Here we see that 22 days is 1 day over 3 weeks (because 22 is three 7s plus
1).
So we need only count on 1 day from Friday. The answer is Saturday.

The method is:

Ignore all the 7s in the number and count on only the remainder.
So in the first example, the remainder after throwing the 7 out was 3.
And the remainder for 22, in the second example was 1 (after throwing out
three 7s).

If today is Wednesday, what day of the week will it be in 31 days’ time?

31 contains four 7s (4 x 7 = 28).
And taking 28 from 31 leaves 3, so we count on 3 days from Wednesday,
which comes to Saturday.
Take the Quiz
Calculate these:
(a) If today is Monday, what day of the week will it be in 9 days’ time?
(b) If today is Thursday, what day of the week will it be in 17 days’ time?
(c) If today is Friday, what day of the week will it be in 30 days’ time?
(d) If today is Sunday, what day of the week will it be in 35 days’ time?
(e) If today is Tuesday, what day of the week will it be in 20 days’ time?
Answers to Quiz
(a) Wednesday
(b) Sunday
(c) Sunday
(d) Sunday
(e) Monday
 Chapter Ten: Times
How To Calculate Time
Dealing with time is something we all have to do.
Here we look at simple ways to add and subtract times in different units, such
as seconds, minutes, hours, days, and weeks.

Times Lesson 1
How to Add Units of Time
When adding say 20 minutes and 30 minutes you get 50 minutes.

And adding 3 hours 15 minutes and 4 hours 20 minutes we add the hours
and minutes separately, starting as usual from the left.
Step 1: adding the hours, 3 hours + 4 hours = 7 hours.
Step 2: adding the minutes, 15 + 20 = 35 minutes.
Putting these together we get the answer:
3 hours 15 minutes + 4 hours 20 minutes = 7 hours 35 minutes.

Similarly 17 minutes 43 seconds + 19 minutes 8 seconds.

Step 1: adding the minutes, 17 + 19 = 36 minutes.
Step 2: adding the seconds, 43 + 8 = 51 seconds.
So:
17 minutes 43 seconds + 19 minutes 8 seconds = 36 minutes 51 seconds.
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 15 minutes + 35 minutes
(b) 25 seconds + 17 seconds
(c) 7 hours 25 minutes + 5 hours 15 minutes
(d) 2 minutes 35 seconds + 7 minutes 17 seconds
(e) 5 weeks 3 days + 4 weeks 2 days
Answers to Quiz
(a) 50 minutes
(b) 42 seconds
(c) 12 hours 40 minutes
(d) 9 minutes 52 seconds
(e) 9 weeks 5 days
Times Lesson 2
Converting Minutes to Hours
If you add 40 minutes and 30 minutes you get 70 minutes.
But 70 minutes is more than 1 hour, because 1 hour is 60 minutes.
So 70 minutes can be converted to 1 hour 10 minutes.
40 minutes + 30 minutes = 1 hour 10 minutes.

Similarly, for 15 hours + 16 hours you get 31 hours.

But 31 hours is more than 1 day, which is 24 hours.
In fact 31 hours is 7 hours more than 1 day.
So 15 hours + 16 hours = 1 day 7 hours.

And 5 days + 6 days is 11 days.

But 11 days is over 1 week.
So 5 days + 6 days = 1 week 4 days.
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 20 hours + 10 hours
(b) 35 minutes + 40 minutes
(c) 37 seconds + 45 seconds
(d) 4 days + 5 days
Answers to Quiz
(a) 1 day 6 hours
(b) 1 hour 15 minutes
(c) 1 minute 22 seconds
(d) 1 week 2 days
Times Lesson 3
How to Carry Hours and Minutes
To find 5 hours 40 minutes + 3 hours 30 minutes, we get:
8 hours 70 minutes.
But the 70 minutes here is more than one hour.
In fact 70 minutes is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
So 1 hour is carried over to the 8 hours to make 9 hours.
And this means we have 9 hours in total plus the 10 minutes.
So 5 hours 40 minutes + 3 hours 30 minutes = 9 hours 10 minutes.

Similarly for 3 minutes 45 seconds + 5 minutes 35 seconds.

You get 8 minutes 80 seconds when you add these.
But 80 seconds is 1 minute 20 seconds.
So the 8 minutes becomes 9 minutes and we get:
3 minutes 45 seconds + 5 minutes 35 seconds = 9 minutes 20 seconds.

And 3 weeks 4 days + 2 weeks 5 days = 5 weeks 9 days.

But since 9 days = 1 week 2 days we write this as:
3 weeks 4 days + 2 weeks 5 days = 6 weeks 2 days.
Take the Quiz
Add these:
(a) 6 hours 55 minutes + 7 hours 35 minutes
(b) 8 minutes 50 seconds + 3 minutes 25 seconds
(c) 5 hours 44 minutes + 2 hours 35 minutes
(d) 10 minutes 35 seconds + 55 seconds
(e) 4 weeks 4 days + 2 weeks 4 days
Answers to Quiz
(a) 14 hours 30 minutes
(b) 12 minutes 15 seconds
(c) 8 hours 19 minutes
(d) 11 minutes 30 seconds
(e) 7 weeks 1 day
Times Lesson 4
Subtracting Times
Subtracting two times can also be very easy.
If you need to find 6 hours 20 minutes – 2 hours 7 minutes . . .
You just subtract the hours: 6 – 2 = 4 hours.
And then subtract the minutes: 20 – 7 = 13 minutes.
So the answer is:
6 hours 20 minutes – 2 hours 7 minutes = 4 hours 13 minutes.

Similarly 10 weeks 5 days – 4 weeks 2 days = 6 weeks 3 days.

Step 1: 10 weeks – 4 weeks = 6 weeks.
Step 2: 5 days – 2 days = 3 days.

And 35 minutes 22 seconds – 9 minutes 17 seconds = 26 minutes 5

seconds.
Step 1: 35 – 9 = 26.
Step 2: 22 – 17 = 5.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 6 hours 55 minutes – 2 hours 35 minutes
(b) 8 minutes 50 seconds – 3 minutes 25 seconds
(c) 7 hours 35 minutes – 8 minutes
(d) 30 weeks 5 days – 13 weeks 2 days
Answers to Quiz
(a) 4 hours 20 minutes
(b) 5 minutes 25 seconds
(c) 7 hours 27 minutes
(d) 17 weeks 3 days
Times Lesson 5
Subtracting Different Units of Time
Find 7 hours – 10 minutes.
Here the 10 minutes will come off one of the 7 hours.
So there will be 6 hours left.
And because there are 60 minutes in 1 hour, when we subtract the 10 minutes
we will get 50 minutes.
So 7 hours – 10 minutes = 6 hours 50 minutes.

Similarly 44 minutes – 20 seconds.

The 20 seconds comes off one of the 44 minutes to give 43 minutes.
And since there are 60 seconds in 1 minute, when we subtract 20 seconds
from 60 seconds we get 40 seconds.
44 minutes – 20 seconds = 43 minutes 40 seconds.
Take the Quiz

Subtract these:
(a) 6 hours – 10 minutes
(b) 8 minutes – 25 seconds
(c) 7 hours – 8 minutes
(d) 9 weeks – 2 days
Answers to Quiz
(a) 5 hours 50 minutes
(b) 7 minutes 35 seconds
(c) 6 hours 52 minutes
(d) 8 weeks 5 days
Times Lesson 6
The Secret to Subtracting Larger from Smaller
Now suppose we have:
5 hours 30 minutes – 2 hours 40 minutes
Here we have 30 minutes – 40 minutes.
If you can’t subtract the minutes, subtract the other way around. Here’s how
it goes:

Step 1: 5 hours – 2 hours = 3 hours.

Step 2: we have 30 minutes – 40 minutes, so find 40 – 30 which is 10.
And take 10 minutes from the 3 hours in Step 1.
This gives 2 hours 50 minutes.
So 5 hours 30 minutes – 2 hours 40 minutes = 2 hours 50 minutes.

Here’s another example: 18 hours 9 minutes – 3 hours 15 minutes

Step 1: 18 hours – 3 hours = 15 hours.
Step 2: we have 9 minutes – 15 minutes, so find 15 – 9 which is 6.
And take 6 minutes from the 15 hours in Step 1.
This gives 14 hours 54 minutes.
So 18 hours 9 minutes – 3 hours 15 minutes = 14 hours 54 minutes.

Similarly for 8 weeks 3 days – 2 weeks 6 days.

Step 1: 8 weeks – 2 weeks = 6 weeks.
Step 2: we have 3 days – 6 days, so find 6 – 3 which is 3.
And take 3 days from the 6 weeks in Step 1.
This gives 5 weeks 4 days.
So 8 weeks 3 days – 2 weeks 6 days = 5 weeks 4 days.
Take the Quiz
Subtract these:
(a) 9 hours 20 minutes – 3 hours 30 minutes
(b) 20 hours 7 minutes – 5 hours 10 minutes
(c) 8 minutes 10 seconds – 3 minutes 30 seconds
(d) 7 hours 15 minutes – 1 hour 20 minutes
(e) 11 weeks 2 days – 5 weeks 5 days
Answers to Quiz
(a) 5 hours 50 minutes
(b) 14 hours 57 minutes
(c) 4 minutes 40 seconds
(d) 5 hours 55 minutes
(e) 5 weeks 4 days
Times Lesson 7
Understanding the 24-Hour Time Format
The 24-hour clock is in common use because it has advantages over the
normal way of showing times.
The normal system has 12 hours in the morning (am), and 12 hours in the
afternoon and evening (pm).
But bus and train timetables, and the military and others, use the 24-hour
clock.

In 24-hour clock time, 00:00 hours is midnight and 12:00 is midday.

So nine fifteen in the morning is written 09:15.

Notice that there are always two digits before the colon.
(The colon is the two dots in the middle).
So we write 09:15 rather than just 9:15.

And there are always two digits after the colon.

So if the time is 3 minutes past 7 in the morning we write this as 07:03, not
07:3.

After midday you count on from 12:00.

So one o’clock in the afternoon is 13:00 hours.
And 2pm is 14:00.
And this goes on up until 23:59 (which is 1 minute before midnight) and then
back to 00:00 again at midnight.
Take the Quiz
Which times below are written in correct 24-hour clock time?
Answer Y for correct and N for incorrect.
(a) 03:25
(b) 14:5
(c) 06:50
(d) 5:35
(e) 11am
(f) 01:01
Answers to Quiz
(a) Y
(b) N
(c) Y
(d) N
(e) N
(f) Y
Times Lesson 8
How to Convert am to 24-Hour Clock Time
How will 4:30am be represented using the 24-hour clock?
All we need to do here is put a zero before the 4.
So 4:30am is 04:30.
Note: we do not need to put am or pm.

Convert 5 past 8 in the morning to 24-hour clock time.

8 o’clock in the morning will be 08:00.
And 5 minutes past this will be 08:05.
So the answer is 5 past 8 in the morning = 08:05.

Convert 10 minutes to 6 in the morning to 24-hour clock time.

“10 minutes to 6” means 10 minutes before 6 o’clock.
And this can be written as 5:50am.
Writing 5:50am in 24-hour clock time we get:
10 minutes to 6 in the morning = 05:50.
Take the Quiz
Convert to 24-hour clock time:
(a) 9am
(b) 3:40am
(c) 11:15am
(d) 10 minutes past 9 in the morning
(e) 20 minutes past 4 in the morning
(f) 10 minutes to 9 in the morning
(g) 5 minutes to 4 am
Answers to Quiz
(a) 09:00
(b) 03:40
(c) 11:15
(d) 09:10
(e) 04:20
(f) 08:50
(g) 03:55
Times Lesson 9
Converting pm to 24-Hour Clock Time
How will 4:30pm be represented using the 24-hour clock?
Because this is after 12:00 (noon) we simply add 12 to the 4, to get 16.
So 4:30 pm is 16:30.

Convert 8pm to 24-hour clock time.

Again this is after noon so add 12 to 8 to get 20.
Therefore 8pm = 20:00.

Convert 5 minutes past 9 in the evening to 24-hour clock time.

9 o’clock in the evening will be 21:00 (because 9 + 12 = 21).
And 5 minutes past this will be 21:05.
So the answer is 5 past 9 in the evening = 21:05.

Convert 10 to 6 in the evening to 24-hour clock time.

“10 to 6” means 10 minutes before 6 o’clock.
So this can be written as 5:50pm.
Writing 5:50pm in 24-hour clock time we get 17:50 (because 5 + 12 = 17).
So 10 minutes to 6 in the evening = 17:50.
Convert quarter past 3 in the afternoon to 24-hour clock time.
“quarter past 3” means 3:15 because ‘quarter’ means a quarter of an hour.
And 3:15 in the afternoon is 15:15 (because 3 + 12 = 15).
So quarter past 3 in the afternoon = 15:15.
Take the Quiz
Convert to 24-hour clock time:
(a) 7pm
(b) 11pm
(c) 3:40pm
(d) 11:15pm
(e) 20 minutes past 9 in the evening
(f) 5 minutes past 6 in the evening
(g) 10 minutes to 2 in the afternoon
(h) quarter to 4 in the afternoon
Answers to Quiz
(a) 19:00
(b) 23:00
(c) 15:40
(d) 23:15
(e) 21:20
(f) 18:05
(g) 13:50
(h) 15:45
Times Lesson 10
Converting 24-Hour Clock Time to Ordinary Time
We need to be able to convert 24-hour clock times to ordinary am/pm times.

To change 07:25 to ordinary time we can see straight away that it’s am.
Because 7 is less than 12.
So it must be 7:25am.
So 07:25 = 7:25am.
For times before 12:00 noon it’s as easy as that.

For times after 12:00 noon we just subtract 12 from the hours.
For example, to change 19:20 to ordinary time we notice that 19 is greater
than 12. Which means it must be pm.
So take 12 from 19 to get 7.
And the time is therefore 7:20pm.

Similarly 22:50 will be pm because 22 is greater than 12.

And taking 12 from 22 gives 10.
So 22:50 = 10:50pm.
Take the Quiz
Convert these 24-hour clock times to am/pm times:
(a) 09:15
(b) 11:22
(c) 01:30
(d) 16:47
(e) 14:40
(f) 20:00
(g) 05:06
(h) 23:19
Answers to Quiz
(a) 9:15am
(b) 11:22am
(c) 1:30am
(d) 4:47pm
(e) 2:40pm
(f) 8pm
(g) 5:06am
(h) 11:19pm
Conclusion
The mental math techniques you’ve learned in this Kindle ebook are
techniques you will use in many practical situations for the rest of your life.
Now you’ve acquired the skills, I recommend you do two things:
First, read through the ebook again. This will help you absorb the techniques
more deeply, so they become second nature to you when you need them.
Repetition is indeed a great teacher when learning any mathematical skill. So
for even better results, revisit the book several times over the next few weeks.
Second, apply the techniques in practical situations. You’ll find many
opportunities for mental math in the real world. Numbers are all around you.
Add up a few prices at the grocery store. Calculate your change faster than
the cashier. Show your kids how to measure something and divide it into
four equal parts. Or just calculate for the fun of getting the right answer,
knowing that you did it without needing a calculator.
Math is everywhere. Use it, practice it, enjoy it.
Happy calculating!
Kenneth Williams
www.MathKen.com
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 More Books by Kenneth Williams
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