Magic Maths Tricks for Kids

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Updated on: Educator Review By: Michelle Connolly

Magic Maths Tricks for Kids – Can you become a mathematician?

With these fun mathematical videos, you can encourage your child’s mental maths skills. Children will enjoy carrying out some Magic Maths on family and friends – the formula always has the same outcome, so it’s very easy to check. Follow the simple Math Trick steps to wow and amaze your audience!

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There are different fun math tricks and games for the kids to try when it comes to math and calculations. One of them is the magic math trick of guessing the final answer or number while playing with friends or family members.

Why is it referred to as a “magic” math trick? This actually goes back to the magical finger answer that usually comes out the same no matter which number was chosen from the beginning and played with; it is the magic of guessing the final answer before even knowing the number that the other person is going to choose.

There are two different ways to play this trick: the first one is to ask your questions and request the other person to do the calculations secretly without revealing any of them, and the second way is to ask them to choose a number and immediately tell them the answer they are going to receive at the end, but let them do the calculations in front of you to make sure that they are not doing any mathematical errors along the way.

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This is the magic math of the number 8, which means that no matter what the chosen number is, the final answer will always be 8. The steps or the different calculations that will need to be done start with asking the player to think of a number, subtract 1 from it, multiply the result by 3, add 12 to the final answer, divide the result by 3, add 5 to the calculation, and finally take away the first original number they have chosen. The answer should be always 8 in this case, and if it wasn’t 8 then there was something wrong done along the way.

These different mathematical tricks help boost the child’s self-confidence after they practice it several times and know how it should all be done. Kids feel more confident when they do magic and play tricks on their friends or even family members, and it all works out perfectly with them receiving the needed results.

Maths Tricks for Kids – Have fun and Learn!

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Practising addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division could be all done through these different magic math tricks that we have here. Talk with your kid through the different steps that they should go through in this mathematical trick to make sure that they totally understand what should be done and how they are going to bring that magical answer at the end.

Such tricks are interesting for two different reasons, the first one is because of the mathematical skills which the kids will enhance when they try it a couple of times, and the second reason goes for the fun time that the kids will end up having while playing around with some educational games.

Another important thing for parents to pay attention to is using the different words and terminologies used with the different mathematical operations to let the child understand what every single one of them means and how they could relate it to easier words they are using in their everyday situations.

Math tricks, puzzles, and games are all different ways to be used in educating the child and teaching him/her math through interesting and fun ways that would increase their thinking skills, boost their self-confidence and most importantly, bring the information in an easier way to let it stick to their minds for as long as possible.

We have other tricks that follow the same technique of doing some calculations to reach a specific set number at the end, but these calculations are different, and the final answer received is also different; the concept is the only similar thing.

Easy Magic Math Tricks for Addition:

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Here are some fun and simple magic math tricks for addition that will amaze your friends and family:

1. The “Double and Subtract” Trick:

  • Tell your friend to pick a two-digit number.
  • Ask them to double the tens digit and add the units digit.
  • Now, subtract their original number from the result.
  • Magically, you’ll know the answer without needing to see their number!

Explanation: Let’s say they pick 25. Doubling the tens digit (2) gives 4. Adding the units digit (5) gives 9. Subtracting 25 from 9 gives 74, which is your answer. This works because doubling the tens digit and adding the units digit is the same as adding the number to 10 times the tens digit (e.g., 25 + 10*2 = 45).

2. The “Number Reversal” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to pick a two-digit number where the tens digit is bigger than the units digit.
  • Tell them to reverse the digits and write down the new number.
  • Now, add the original and reversed numbers together.
  • You can predict the sum without knowing their numbers!

Explanation: Let’s say they pick 42. Reversed, it’s 24. Adding 42 and 24 gives 66. This works because adding a number to its digits reversed is the same as adding 9 times the difference between the tens and units digits (e.g., 42 + (24 – 4) * 9 = 66).

3. The “Number Addition with Twos” Trick:

  • Tell your friend to pick a two-digit number and add 2 to it.
  • Now, multiply the result by 5.
  • Finally, add 10 to the product.
  • You can reveal the final answer before they even calculate!

Explanation: Let’s say they pick 37 and add 2, making 39. Multiplying by 5 gives 195. Adding 10 gives 205. This works because multiplying a number added by 2 by 5 and adding 10 is the same as multiplying the original number by 10 and adding 100 (e.g., 39 * 5 + 10 = 37 * 10 + 100).

Bonus Trick: The “Sum of Digits” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to pick a three-digit number.
  • Tell them to add the digits together.
  • Now, subtract that sum from the original number.
  • You can guess the final answer based on the sum of digits!

Explanation: If the sum of the digits is a multiple of 3 (e.g., 3, 6, 9), the final answer will always be a multiple of 9. This is because subtracting a multiple of 3 from any number leaves a multiple of 9.

Subtraction Magic Tricks for Kids:

Transform subtraction from a chore to a magical experience with these fun and easy tricks:

1. The “Mental Subtraction 100” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to choose a two-digit number (10-99).
  • Tell them to subtract 10 from the tens digit (e.g., if they pick 42, they subtract 10 from 4).
  • Now, add that number to the units digit (e.g., 4 + 2).
  • Magically, you can reveal the answer by multiplying the result by 10!

Explanation: This trick relies on place value manipulation. Subtracting 10 from the tens digit shifts it down one place value, making it the units digit. Adding the original units digit then combines them into a single-digit number. Multiplying by 10 restores the original tens digit and recovers the original number, minus 10.

2. The “Number Reversal Subtraction” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to choose a two-digit number where the tens digit is bigger than the units digit (e.g., 42).
  • Tell them to reverse the digits (24) and subtract it from their original number.
  • You can predict the answer without knowing their number!

Explanation: This trick leverages the fact that subtracting a number from its digits reversed is the same as subtracting 9 times the difference between the tens and units digits. For example, 42 – 24 = 42 – (24 – 4) * 9 = 18.

3. The “Quick Subtraction with Multiples of 5” Trick:

  • Challenge your friend to choose a two-digit number ending in 5 (e.g., 35).
  • Tell them to subtract 5 and then divide the result by 2.
  • You can reveal the answer before they even calculate!

Explanation: This trick uses the property of divisibility by 5. Subtracting 5 from a number ending in 5 creates a multiple of 10. Dividing by 2 simply halves the value. For example, (35 – 5) / 2 = 30 / 2 = 15.

4. The “Sum of Digits Subtraction” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to pick a three-digit number.
  • Tell them to add the digits together and subtract that sum from the original number.
  • If the sum of digits is a multiple of 3, you can predict the answer will be a multiple of 9!

Explanation: This trick relies on the divisibility rule of 9. Subtracting a multiple of 3 from any number leaves a number divisible by 9. For example, if they pick 123 (1 + 2 + 3 = 6) and subtract 6, the answer (117) is divisible by 9.

5. The “Number Puzzle Subtraction” Trick:

  • Write down a two-digit number (e.g., 58).
  • Ask your friend to subtract a number from it (e.g., they subtract 13).
  • Now, rearrange the remaining digits (e.g., 45) and add the difference between the original and subtracted numbers (e.g., 13).
  • Magically, you get the original number back!

Explanation: This trick uses the concept of complementary numbers. Subtracting a number from a two-digit number and then rearranging the digits creates a new number whose sum with the subtracted number equals the original number. For example, 58 – 13 = 45, and 45 + 13 = 58.

Multiplication and Division Magic Maths Tricks for Kids:

Transform multiplication and division from mundane tasks into mind-blowing experiences with these fun and easy tricks:

Multiplication Magic:

1. The “Double and Add” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to choose a two-digit number (10-99).
  • Tell them to double the units digit and add it to the tens digit.
  • Now, multiply that sum by 5. You can reveal the answer without seeing their number!

Explanation: This trick utilizes place value manipulation. Doubling the units digit and adding it to the tens digit essentially creates a tenfold version of the units digit. Multiplying by 5 restores the original value and adds the units digit as a hundredfold value. For example, if they choose 37, doubling 7 gives 14, adding 3 gives 17, and multiplying by 5 gives 85 (37 x 5 + 7).

2. The “Number Reversal Multiplication” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to choose a two-digit number where the tens digit is bigger than the units digit (e.g., 42).
  • Tell them to reverse the digits (24) and subtract the units digit from the original number (42 – 4 = 38).
  • Now, multiply the result by 9. You can predict the answer!

Explanation: This trick again leverages number reversal. Subtracting the units digit from the original number creates a tenfold version of the difference between the tens and units digits. Multiplying by 9 recovers the original number and adds the units digit tenfold. For example, 38 x 9 = (42 – 4) * 9 = 378.

3. The “Quick Multiplication by 11” Trick:

  • Challenge your friend to choose a two-digit number (e.g., 53).
  • Tell them to write the digits separately with a zero in between.
  • Now, add the original number to itself written with the digits reversed. You can reveal the answer!

Explanation: This trick exploits the divisibility rule of 11. The sum of the digits in the original position and the sum of digits in the reversed position will always differ by 1. For example, 5 + 30 + 3 = 38 (53 x 11).

Division Magic:

1. The “Calendar Division” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to choose a number between 1 and 31.
  • Tell them to multiply it by 2, then add 5, then multiply by 5, then add another 5, then multiply by 2.
  • Finally, ask them to find the day of the week corresponding to the resulting number on a calendar. You can predict it!

Explanation: This trick relies on a pattern discovered by the mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss. Each step in the multiplication and addition process strategically manipulates the units digit to correspond to the day of the week.

2. The “Number Reversal Division” Trick:

  • Ask your friend to choose a three-digit number where the hundreds digit is not zero (e.g., 248).
  • Tell them to reverse the digits (842) and subtract the smaller number from the larger one (842 – 248 = 594).
  • Now, divide the result by 9. You can predict the answer!

Explanation: This trick harnesses the power of divisibility by 9. Subtracting a number from its digits reversed creates a number divisible by 9. Dividing by 9 recovers the original hundreds digit and the units digit combined. For example, 594 / 9 = (842 – 248) / 9 = 66.

3. The “Magic Division by 3” Trick:

  • Challenge your friend to choose any number (excluding multiples of 3).
  • Tell them to add its digits together. If the sum is divisible by 3, you can reveal the original number is not divisible by 3. If the sum is not divisible by 3, the original number is!

Explanation: This trick uses the divisibility rule of 3. The sum of digits of a number is divisible by 3 only if the original number is itself divisible by 3.

Memory Magic Maths Tricks for Kids:

Unlock the power of your brain and impress your friends with these memory math tricks:

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Multiplication:

  • Number Patterns: Discover patterns in multiplication tables. For example, all multiples of 9 add up to 9 (e.g., 27 = 2 + 7). Once you know a few patterns, you can predict others.
  • Storytelling & Visualization: Turn multiplication facts into stories or images. For example, imagine 7 x 8 as 7 rows of 8 apples or a 7 x 8 chessboard. Visualizing makes recall easier.
  • Rhyming and Chants: Create rhymes or chants for multiplication tables. Silly rhymes like “Eight eights are sixty-four, who needs a calculator anymore?” can be surprisingly effective.

Addition and Subtraction:

  • Doubles and Halves: Remember adding or subtracting doubles is quick (e.g., 12 + 12 = 24, 20 – 10 = 10). Apply this logic to similar problems (e.g., 14 + 14 = 28, 25 – 5 = 20).
  • Place Value Tricks: Break down numbers by place value for easier manipulation. For example, adding 37 and 28 can be seen as (30 + 20) + (7 + 8) = 50 + 15 = 65.
  • Number Line Jumps: Imagine a number line. Adding jumps you and subtracting jumps backwards. Visualizing makes calculations more intuitive.

Division:

  • Multiplication Reversal: Remember division is the opposite of multiplication. If you know 3 x 6 = 18, then 18 ÷ 3 = 6. Use this knowledge to quickly solve division problems.
  • Factoring and Estimation: Break down division problems into smaller, easier-to-manage multiplication facts. For example, 36 ÷ 6 can be thought of as 30 ÷ 6 + 6 ÷ 6 (5 + 1 = 6).
  • Rounding and Approximation: Don’t stress over exact answers. Round numbers to make calculations easier and estimate the approximate answer. Close enough is good enough for quick mental math!

General Tips:

  • Practice Regularly: Just like any skill, memory math improves with practice. Set aside time each day for dedicated practice or incorporate tricks into daily activities.
  • Challenge Yourself: Gradually increase the difficulty of tricks as you master them. Keep pushing your mental boundaries and expanding your repertoire.
  • Make it Fun: Gamify your practice by competing with friends or setting personal challenges. Learning should be enjoyable and engaging.
  • Understand the Math: While tricks are helpful, ensure you understand the underlying mathematical concepts. This enhances memory and flexibility in applying tricks.

FAQ

Are magic math tricks a replacement for traditional math learning?

No, magic math tricks are a fun and engaging supplement, not a replacement. Building a strong foundation in mathematical concepts through traditional methods is crucial.

Are all magic math tricks equally effective for all children?

No, different tricks resonate with different children. Consider their age, interests, and skill level when choosing tricks.

How often should I use magic math tricks with my child?

There’s no set rule, but consistency is key. Aim for short, regular sessions to keep them engaged and avoid overwhelming them.

What if my child struggles to understand the logic behind a trick?

Don’t worry! Be patient, offer explanations in simple terms, and encourage them to ask questions. Sometimes, just seeing the “magic” is enough to spark curiosity.

Will learning magic math tricks help my child excel in math class?

While not a guarantee, tricks can build confidence, improve mental math skills, and foster a positive attitude towards math, all of which can contribute to success in the classroom.

Conclusion

Unlocking the world of numbers doesn’t have to be dry and tedious. By incorporating magic math tricks, you can transform learning into a fun and captivating experience for children. These tricks go beyond mere entertainment, building essential skills like mental math, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Remember, the key is to balance trickery with solid understanding, encouraging exploration and fostering a love for mathematics that lasts a lifetime. So, grab some paper, pencils, and a sense of wonder, and embark on a magical journey of math discovery with your child!

Have you found this interesting? Come and check our maths articles: Mental Math Tricks, Multiplication Tricks, and Magic Math Tricks.

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