MATHEMATICS

TRICKS
REVISED EDITION

Maths Tricks to stimulate the

left side of the brain.

BIODUN OMOSAKU
Copyright BOLT@2019 by
Biodun Omosaku Learning Technologies
ISBN: 978-908-390 9

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or by any
means, electronics or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by
an information storage or retrieval system whatsoever (except for brief
quotations in a review) without prior written permission of the publisher.

Published by
Biodun Omosaku Learning Technologies (BOLT)
21, Abeokuta Street,Anifowoshe,Ikeja, Lagos
Tel; 0802-322-6334, 0813-123-4962
CONTENTS
ADDITION
TRICK 1: Adding by altering I
TRICK 2: Adding by altering II
TRICK 3: Adding out of order
TRICK 4: Quick Mental Addition Trick
TRICK 5: Adding consecutive numbers
TRICK 6: Sum of all ODD numbers starting from one

SUBTRACTION
TRICK 7: Adding positive and positive integers
TRICK 8: Subtracting by adding
TRICK 9: Subtracting a large number from 1000

PERCENTS
TRICK 10: Percentage Analytics
TRICK 11: 5% and above
TRICK 12: Interpreting Questions on Percentage

MULTIPLICATION
TRICK 13: Multiplication the Indian way
TRICK 14: 9 Multiplication table on your fingers
TRICK 15: Learning 13 – 20 times table
TRICK 16: Multiplying 2-digit numbers up to 100
TRICK 17: Multiplying by Zero
TRICK 18: Multiplying by 5
TRICK 19: Simple tricks to multiply by 11
TRICK 20: Multiplication with difference
TRICK 21: Multiplying with 9
TRICK 22: Multiplying with Decimal points
TRICK 23: Multiplying by 9 tricks
TRICK 24: Multiplying any number by 5
TRICK 25: Multiplying from left to right.

DIVISION
TRICK 26: Simple Division
TRICK 27: Dividing by 10
TRICK 28: Dividing by numbers ending in 1/2
TRICK 29: Simple division using circles
TRICK 30: Dividing by numbers ending in 5

FRACTIONS
TRICK 31: Fractions made easy!
TRICK 32: Quadruplet of math
TRICK 33: Multiplying Fractions

SQUARES OF NUMBERS
TRICK 34: Squares of figures that end with 5
TRICK 35: Squares of any other number
TRICK 36: Squaring two-digit numbers
TRICK 37: Finding cube roots
TRICK 38: Trick for birthday month & date
TRICK 39: Calendar math trick
TRICK 40: Dice Game

BONUS
TRICK 41: Someone's age trick
TRICK 42: Math Game, number words
 Dedication
To the genius within every child,
Crying for expression.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My sincere appreciations to the following people

for their immense contributions to the success
of this book:

Mrs. Joke Omosaku, my dearling wife.

Emmanuel Omosaku, my son
Tomisin Omosaku, my daughter
Fadekemi Karunwi, my dedicated personal
assistance
 INTRODUCTION
I am so excited that you are reading this book. You are
simply on your way to becoming a Maths wizard.

Please ensure that you thank your mum or dad, who

has gotten this powerful product for you.

In this book, you will re-discover Mathematics in a new

way. Maths is fun and you will discover different fun
ways of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing
faster than you ever thought possible.

As a matter of fact, you will be able to work a lot of

Maths without pencil and paper because you will be
able to work them in your head. Yes! That's my
promise.

Do you know the advantage of that?

Ÿ You will be able to impress your friends and family.
Ÿ You will begin to fall in love with Maths because these
tricks are built to stimulate your area of the brain
that handles Mathematics.
 REQUIREMENTS TO MAKE BEST
OF THIS BOOK
What will you need to make these tricks work for you?
Ÿ You Will Need To Practice The Tricks Many Times
You are already used to the current methods of solving
Maths problems because those are the ways you have
been taught to solve Maths. Practice they say is the
mother of skills. For these new tricks to become part of
you, you will need to practice them very well. They are fun.
You won't have a problem doing this.
Ÿ Don't Rush Yourself, This Book Is Yours
Don't try to know everything in one day. You will be
confused. Learn one or two tricks per day. It's your book,
enjoy it.
Ÿ Ensure You Follow Instructions
To become a Maths genius, all you need is a basic
understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division. You will discover amazing tricks that will help you
to be grounded in Maths operations. I will also show you
tricks on how to solve fractions, decimals and
 percentages.
Ÿ Feel Free to Ask For Help
If you read anything in this book that you find difficult to
understand, ask your teacher or another grown-up
person for help.
Ÿ Learn Tricks You Are Comfortable With
If you come across some tricks that you don't like, (or find
difficult), don't use them. You don't need to know all the
tricks in this book; a few tricks could greatly improve your
performance.
Now it's time for us to start. Put on your thinking cap and get
ready for a journey into the world of numbers unlike you have
ever experienced.
You may have developed hatred for Maths because you have
tried severally to master it but could not. It is not Maths that
you hate, but the failure. After reading this book, you will not
hate Maths again because you will begin to make remarkable
 YOU ARE A MATHS GENIUS ALREADY!
Ÿ It doesn't matter what impression you had about Maths before now. I
want you to know that this is a new dimension to Maths.
Ÿ I want you to approach this with an open mind because you will not
need to struggle to understand anything here. This is about having fun
with Mathematics.
Ÿ Therefore, I want you to imagine yourself soaring in Maths. Write it out
on big cardboard and place it where you can always see it the
inscription – “I AM GOOD AT MATHS”.
Ÿ Make sure you read this allowed to yourself a minimum of 10 times a
day until you begin to score high marks in Maths. Whatever happens in
a day, whether you score a good mark in Maths or not, ensure you
read your affirmation out to yourself every day.
Ÿ When it looks like you are not making progress in Maths, read your
affirmation out to yourself. If you read it long enough, it will begin to
happen.
Ÿ This exercise is very important. It is the foundation of everything.
Don't take it for granted.
Ÿ Now let us dive in and begin to have fun with Maths.
ADDITION
 TRICK 1
ADDING BY ALTERING

This is a powerful trick to add numbers by altering them.

Have you noticed that some numbers are easier to add than
others?
For example, it is quite easy to add figures that are in friendly
whole numbers like 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 60, 70.etc.
If you need to add 20 + 30, it is pretty much like adding 2 + 3 and just
add back the 0.
Now let us use this knowledge for our Maths problems.
Suppose you want to add two numbers that are NOT friendly
whole numbers, all you need to do is to spot the one that is closer
to a friendly whole numbers like 10, 20, 30 etc.
It is easier to add numbers in these friendly whole.
Let us see an example:
Example 1
You are adding some figures, and you get to a point where you
need to add 17 + 5.
You don't need to write anything down to do this addition. Just
use this trick.

This is how to do it,

Step 1:
Spot the one that is closer to a friendly whole like 10, 20, 30, etc.
In this 17 is close to 20. So, let us use 17

Step 2: Ask yourself, by how much is 17 lesser than a friendly

whole number? In this case 17 is lesser than 20 by 3

Step 3: Remove 3 from 5 5- 3=2

Step 4: Add the 3 to 17 17 + 3 = 20
Your answer is 22
Very simple!
Let us try another example.

Example 2
You are working a Maths question and you get to a point where
you need to add 23 + 48.

You don't need a calculator to do this.

You can use your head.
23 + 48 =?

Step 1: Spot the one that is closer to a friendly whole number

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, etc. In this case, 48 is closer to 50
more than 23.
Step 2: By how much? 48 is lesser than 50 by 2.
Step 3: Subtract the 2 from 23 23 - 2 = 21
Step 4: Add the 2 to 48 48 + 2 = 50
Step 5: Add 50 + 21 (just like adding 5+2 ) 50 + 21 =71.
That is it!
Your answer is 71.
Let us try one more example.

Example 3
Add 47 + 34
First, ask yourself which one among these two figures is
closer to a friendly whole like:10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc.
In this case, it is 47

47 is less than 50 by 3
Subtract the 3 from 34 31
Add the 3 to 47 50
The Answer is 81 (just like adding 5+ 3)
Do you get it?

Now it is your turn.

Exercise
1. 49 + 25
2. 56 + 39
3. 72 + 19
 TRICK 2
ADDING BY ALTERING II

This is a very good trick to add a number that ends with 9.

It is like the previous method.

Whenever you are adding a number that ends with 9 and

another number, simply follow these steps:

Example 1
29 + 44=?
Step 1; Subtract 1 from the other number 44- 1= 43
Step 2; Add the 1 to 29 29+ 1 = 30
Step 3; Add 43 to 30 = 73

Very Simple!

Now I want you to add this in your head without writing

anything down.
Example 2
Add 59 + 35=?
Step 1: Subtract the 1 from 35 35- 1 =34
Step 2: Add the 1 to 59 59 + 1 = 60
Step 3: Add 34 + 60 = 94
Did you work it off hand?

That's great!

You are becoming a Maths genius already.

Let us try one example more.

Example 3
Without writing anything down,
Add; 19 + 21
Step 1: Subtract the 1 from 21 21-1 = 20
Step 2: Add the 1 to 191 21 + 1 = 20
Step 3: Add 20 + 20 =40

I tell you, it's quite simple.

Now do the following exercises.

Without writing anything down, add the following.

EXERCISE:

1. 33 + 44 =

2. 59 + 97 =

3. 89 + 44 =

4. 99 +24 =

5. 20 + 79 =
Look at this:

Example 1
You need to add 6 + 4 + 7 + 3 in your head

Step 1: Look at the 6 and 4 6 + 4 =10

Step 2: Look at the 7 and 3 7 + 3 = 10
This is your answer 20

Can we look at another example?

Okay then.

You are working a Maths question and you got to a point where
you need to add:
8 + 4 + 2 + 9 + 1.
This is how to add this in your head.
 TRICK 3
ADDING OUT OF ORDER

I am sure you are enjoying what you are doing. Maths is really
fun. It's all about how to observe, how to study pattern and
how to follow steps.

This is another trick to add in your head without the use of a

calculator.

Are you ready to learn this?

Okay.

Like I have pointed out before, it is easier to add numbers in

friendly wholes like 10, 20, 30, 40 etc.

For example, 10 + 20 is easy to add

10 + 20= 30 (pretty much like saying 1+2 = 3)

When you are given a set of numbers to add, Try to quickly

spot a combination that can give you a friendly whole 10, 20,
30, etc.
Note; you don't have to add this figure in the order they
appear above.
Step 1: Look at the 9 and 1 9 + 1 = 10
Step 2: Look at the 8 and 2 8 + 2 = 10
20
Step 3: Left with 4, add the 4 4
24
Cool, huh?

Example 3
Now you are working a Maths problem and you need to add
the following set of numbers
9 + 2 + 6+ 7
You should be able to do this addition in your head without
writing anything down!
Remember that you don't have to add them in the order they
appear
Step 1: Spot the 9 and 2 9 + 2 = 11
Step 2: Add it to 6 6
17
Step 3: Add the 7 7
This is your answer 24

Exercise:
1. 9 + 1 + 8 + 6 + 4 =
4. 4 + 2 + 1 + 7 + 9 =
2. 2 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 3 =
5. 7 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 5 =
3. 7 + 5 + 3 + 9 + 5 =
 TRICK 4
QUICK MENTAL ADDITION TRICK

Instead of using a right to left approach, we can start from

the left and move to the right. Take the following example:

45

+34

Usually, you would first sum up 4 to 45, and then add 30 to the
result. But by using the left to the right approach, you first
sum up 30 to 45, and then you add 4 to the result. Although
this example is very simple, you'll see the advantages of this
method as you start to use it.

If you're working with three-digit numbers, the process is the

same.

459
+ 637
This example is a bit more complicated than the previous one,

yet it's very easy to solve using the left to the right approach.

You first start by adding 600 to 459, which results in 1059. Now

the problem is simplified to 1059 + 37. You simplify it even

further by adding 30 to 1059, and then adding 7 to the result…

which is 1096.

Now It's Your Turn.

1. 76 + 47
2. 89 + 83
3. 57 + 62
4. 345 + 234
 TRICK 5
ADDING CONSECUTIVE NUMBERS

Sample 1:
find the addition of consecutive numbers from 23 – 29?
Step 1
At first, we add the smaller number to bigger number in the
given group (Using the previous trick you have learnt). Result is
23 +29 =52

Step 2
Then multiply the result with the amount of numbers from 23
to 29
(i.e 23,24,25,26,27,28,29) that is 7 numbers.
Shorter way to do it, (29 – 23) + 1 = 7
Now, multiply 52 x 7 =364.

Step 3
At last divide the resultant product by 2,
364 ÷ 2 = 182.
So the addition of all numbers in the group from 23 to 29 is 182.
You Can do this in your head without writing anything down.
Example 2:
Find the addition of the consecutive numbers from 79 to 89
Step 1:
At first, we add the smaller number to the bigger number in the
given group. Result is 79 + 89 =168
Step 2
Then, multiply the result with the amount of number in the
series.
(number in the series = (89 – 79 +1) = 11)
168 x 11 = 1848
Step 3:
At last divide the resultant product by 2, 1848/2 = 924.
So the addition of all numbers in the group from 79 to 89 is 924

Example 3
Find the addition of consecutive numbers from 56 to 69?
Step 1
At first, we add the smallest number to the biggest number in
the given series. Result is 56 + 69 = 125

Step 2
Then multiply the result with the amount of numbers in the
given group of numbers 125 x 14 = 1750
Step 3:
At last divide the resultant product by 2,
1750 ÷ 2 = 875.
So the addition of all numbers in the group from 56 to 69 is 875.
Now is your turn
Add the following consecutive numbers:
1. 1 to 100.
2. 23 to 57
3. 87 to 94
4. 1 to 50
5. 1 to 81.
 TRICK 6
SUM OF ALL ODD NUMBERS
STARTING FROM ONE

What are odd numbers?

Odd numbers are numbers not divisible by two.
Can you identify odd numbers from these sets of
consecutive numbers?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ,9 ,10
The odd numbers are underlined below:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
So, in these set of numbers, you have 5 odd numbers.

Example 1
Find the sum of consecutive Odd numbers in a group 1
to 90,
The number of odd numbers that exist in this series
from 1-90 is 45.

So, Multiply 45 by 45
45 x 45 = 2,025
So, the sum of all odd numbers from 1 to 90 = 2,025

Example 2
Find the sum of consecutive odd number in a group 1 to
30
The odd numbers that exist between 1 to 30 is 15
Next is to multiply 15 x 15
15 x 15 = 225
So, the sum of all consecutive odd numbers from 1 to
30 = 225

Example 3:
Find the sum of all consecutive odd numbers in a group
1 to 80,
The odd numbers that exist between 1 to 80 is 40.
Next is to multiply 40 by 40
40 x 40 = 1,600
The sum of all odd numbers from 1 to 40 = 1,600
SUBTRACTION
 TRICK 7
ADDING NEGATIVE AND
POSITIVE INTEGERS

Subtraction is different from addition.

In addition, you can alter the positions of the
figures and still get the same Answer.

E.g. 23 + 19 = 44 and 19 + 23 will still give you 44

In subtraction, if you alter the positions of the
figures, you will not get the same answer.

E.g. 23 – 19 = 4 and 19 – 23 will not give you 4 but – 4.

4 and – 4 are different.
4 means you have 4
-4 means you are owing 4
Example 1
Let's look at 2 – 5
If you have N2 and you are owing someone N5, How much
do you have?

The truth is that you don't have anything. In actual fact,

you will still be owing N3 after you used the N2 in your
hand to offset your debt.
What you owe is written in minus (-5)

What you have is usually written in positive + or without

any sign in front of the number.
Do you understand?

Example 2

5–7
Whenever the number that carries minus is greater than
the number that carries positive (or no sign), know
that your answer will be in negative.

In this question,
You have 5
You are owing -7
After paying your 5, you will still be owing 2
So, your answer is – 2
Example 3
-23 + 45
In this question,
You have 45
You are owing - 23
If you paid your 23 that you are owing from 45 that
you have,
 TRICK 8
SUBTRACTING BY ADDING
Example 1
Suppose you need to subtract 54 – 32
Step 1: Think about what can be added to make 32 become
54.
Very easy to know.
32 + 10 = 42 (not up to 54 yet)
42 + 10 = 52 (almost there remaining 2)
52 + 2 = 54
22

Step 2: Add all you have added to make 32 to 54 as seen by

the above arrow that gives you 22. That is your answer.

Let us try one more example

Example 2

Subtract 72 – 47

Step 1: Think of what needs to be added to make 47

become 72
47 + 20 = 67
67 + 5 = 72
25
That is your answer 25
Now it is your turn. Solve these problems by adding:
62 – 37
50 – 11
84 – 37
41 – 19
 TRICK 9
SUBTRACTING A LARGE
NUMBER FROM 1000

To subtract a large number from 1000 you can use

this basic rule:

Subtract all but the last number from 9 (taking the

absolute value… that is, ignoring if the number is
negative), then subtract the last number from 10:

Example: 1000
- 736

Step 1: subtract 7 from 9 = 2

Step 2: subtract 3 from 9 = 6
Step 3: subtract 6 from 10 = 4

Your answer: 264

Example 2

1000

-545

Step 1: subtract 5 from 9 = 4

Step 2: subtract 4 from 9 = 5
Step 3: subtract 5 from 10 = 5

Your Answer is 455

Now it's Your Turn.

1. Subtract 1000 from 654

2. Subtract 1000 from 873

3. Subtract 1000 from 902

PERCENTAGE
 TRICK 10

PERCENTAGE ANALYTICS
Cent means 100
A century is 100 years
Percent means - per 100.
Do you understand this?
Great!
Example 1
Suppose you want to find 1% of 200
Percent means per 100.
100 has two zeros
1% of 200
“Of” in Maths means multiplication.
When % multiply any number, it moves backward by
two zeros and you put your decimal point.
So, 1% x 200
= 1 x 200
= 1 x 2.00
= 2.00

So, your answer is 2

Example 2
What is 3% of 500
“Of” in Maths means multiplication.
When % multiply any number, it moves backward by
two zeros and you put your decimal point.
3% of 500
3% x 500
3 x 5.00
3 x 5.00
15.00
Your answer is 15
 TRICK 11

5% AND ABOVE
This trick provides you the shorter ways to perform
percentage operations of 5 percent and above.
Supposed you are asked to calculate 15% of 80, how
will you do it?
The usual (hard) way?That is
15 x 80
100
Then you will start to divide.
That is what I called the hard way.
There is a simpler method to do it
To find a percentage of a number is very easy.
First, there are some facts you need to know (and
must not forget).
Fact Number I
100% OF A NUMBER IS THE SAME NUMBER
Therefore, 100% of 20 is what? Still 20.
What is 100% of 720? Still 720.
Do you understand that? Good.

Fact Number II
50% OF A NUMBER IS HALF OF THE NUMBER
Therefore, 50% of 720 is half of 720
720 divided by 2 = 360
What is 50% (half) of 80? 40
You are correct.

Fact Number III

10% OF A NUMBER CAN BE GOTTEN BY JUST PUTTING A
POINT BEFORE THE LAST DIGIT OF THE NUMBER
Do you understand this one? Let me show you what I
mean
If you want to know 10% of 450, you don't need to
calculate anything.
Just introduce a point before the last digit of the figure.
In this case, zero is the last digit of figure 450.
Just put your point before the zero 45.0
There you have your answer 45
You know why it's 45?
In Maths, we usually ignore the Zero that ends a decimal
figure.

So, 40.0 is what? 40

72.0 is what? 72.
You are fast becoming a Mathematician.
You are catching up quite fast and I am so happy for
you.

Are you ready for my next question?

Now, what is 10% of N20,000?
This is the answer 2000.0
(Just introduce a point before the last digit and
rewrite your answer)
That gives you N2,000

Fact Number IV
5% OF A NUMBER IS HALF OF ITS 10%
Once you know 10% of a number, you can easily know
its 5%
Let us say you want to find 5% of 500

Step 1; Get 10% of 500 which is 50.0 which is the same

as 50

Step 2; 5% is half of 10% which is 50/2 = 25

Therefore, 5% of 500 is 25.
You can perform all of these operations in your head
without writing anything down.

Now let us use the facts that I have given you so far to
do some workings.
What is 15% of 80
How best can you get 15%? (10% + 5%)
So, it becomes
10% of 80 8.0 8
5% of 80 (half of its 10%) 8/2 4
Add together 12
That is your answer.
Very simple!
Let us try another example

Example 2

What is 95% of 720?

I hope you will not go the usual (hard) way like this;
95 x720 Hard way
100
}
How best can you get 95%? 100% - 5% = 95%
100% of 720 is still 720
Less 5% of 720 (10%/2) which is 72/2 = 36
Add the two 756

That is your answer.

Let us try one more example.

Example 3

What is 25% of 860.

Hint: 25% = 10%+10%+5%

10% of 860 = 86

(just put point before the last digit)

+10% of 860 = 86
+ 5% of 860 = 43
25% of 860 = 215

Very simple to do this way.

It is even longer here because; I am trying to explain to
you. Most of the operations can be performed in your
head without writing anything down.
Now I want you to work the following in your head.
Exercise
1. What is 55% of 360?
2. What is 85% of 360?
3. What Is 60% of 42?
4. What is 30% of 720?
5. What is 90% of 260?
 TRICK 12
INTERPRETING QUESTIONS
ON PERCENTAGE
Example 1
The selling price for a handphone is N2,700 after a discount of
10%. Determine the price of the phone before the discount.

To be able to work this question, you should be able to interpret

what a discount is.

Is it an addition or subtraction from the original figure?

Discount is a subtraction you get off what you buy.

That means, the N2,700 in this question represents a figure

arrived at after removing 10% discount.

You will also be correct to say that the N2,700 represents 90%
i.e. (100% - 10% discount) of the original figure.

We can write this in Mathematical way.

The 2,700 is 90% (90/100 ) of the original price (100-10) , and

therefore to get the 100% we gross up by turning the 90/100
upside down and multiply by discounted amount.
100
__ x 2700 =3000
90
Meaning that the original figure before the discount is N3,000.

Check: 10% of 3,000 is 300, therefore after subtracting 300

from 3,000 we get 3,000 – 300 = 2,700

Example 2
The selling price for a bag is N3,150 after VAT of 5%. Determine
the price of the bag before VAT.

Can you interpret this question?

Do you know what a VAT stands for?

A VAT stands for Value Added Tax. It is usually added to the

price you are paying for goods.

By implication, the N3,150 represents a figure that is arrived

at afterthe addition of 5% VAT. i.e. (100 +5) 105%

We can write this in Mathematical way.

The N3,150 is 105% (105/100 ) of the original price.

Therefore, to get the 100% we reverse the fraction by turning
the 105/100 upside down and multiply by Vated amount.

100
__ x 3150 =3000
105
Meaning, that the original figure before the VAT was added was
N3,000.
Let us consider another example
Example 3
A student scored 726 out of possible 1000 marks, what is the
percentage of his score?
Let n represents his percentage score.
Therefore, n/100 of 1000 = 726
N 1000
100 X =726
1

1000N 726
=
100

100N = 72600

N= 72600
1000
N= 72.6
 TRICK 13
MULTIPLICATION THE
INDIAN WAY
How well do you know your multiplication table?
Do you know them up to 15-20 times table?
In your schools, you have been taught how to memorize the
multiplication table.

The reason some students are finding Maths difficult is

because they have not mastered their time table very well.

After going through these tricks, the multiplication table

cannot hold you back again. In this lesson, I want to show you
the fun, fast and easy methods to master your multiplication.

I am not going to show you how to do your times table the usual
(Hard) way. Other kids can do that.

It won't matter again if you forget one of your time tables.

You know why it won't matter again? Because, if you forget
times table, you can work it out.
So, are you ready?
Ok
Let's get started.
How would you add the following numbers?
7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7=?
How many 7 are there? 8
It means 7 in 8 places.
So when you see 7x8, it means 7 in 8 places.

MULTIPLICATION IS NOTHING BUT REPEATED ADDITION

Do you understand that?
Ok.
If you have mastered your multiplication table, you don't have a
problem getting the answer.
7 x 8 = 58
If you are not so good at memorizing your time table, let me
show you how you can work out your multiplication table.

Example 1 What is 7 x 8 = ?
Step 1: Draw a circle under each of the numbers
7 x 8

Step 2: How far away from 10

 7 x 8

3 2
7 is less than 10 by 3
8 is less than 10 by 2
Step 3: Subtract crossways
7 x 8

=5
3 2

Take 3 from 8 or 2 away from 7 (you will always get the same
answer either way)
Whatever figure you got is the first figure of the answer.
3 away from 8 = 5
2 away from 7 = 5
Step 4: For the last part of the answer, multiply the number
in the circle.
3 x 2= 6
Therefore: 7 x 8 = 56

3 2

Let us try another one.

Example 2
8 x 6 = 48
2 4

Remove 4 from 8 or 2 from 6 and get your first part of the answer 4

Multiply 2 by 4 and you get 8

Your answer is 48
Did you get 48?
Great!

Now do you believe me when I told you

multiplication table cannot hold you back again?

I want you to try out the following exercises in your head without
writing anything down.
You can do it.

Exercise Answers

9x9=?

8x8=?

7x7= ?

7x9= ?

9x6 = ?
 TRICK 14
9 MULTIPLICATION TABLE
ON YOUR FINGERS
Figure 9 is an amazing figure in Maths. You may
have noticed. In this lesson, I want to teach you,
how you can do 9 multiplication on your fingers.

Yes! You heard me well. On your fingers!

Now let us start.
These are your 10 fingers.
Suppose you want to calculate
Example 1

9x2
Step 1: Stretch your two hands forward palm
facing outside and the back of your hands facing
you.
9x2

Start counting from your left hand, count 2 and

fold the second finger
Step 2: Take your answer
Ÿ Before the folded finger, you have 1 finger.
Therefore 1 is the first digit of your answer.
Ÿ After the folded finger, you have 8 fingers.
Therefore, 8 is the second digit of your
answer

Ÿ Put them side by side and you will have 18

Therefore 9 x 2 = 18.
Very simple!
High five for me!

Example 2:
9x6=?
th
Step 1: from the left hand, count 6 and fold the 6
finger
Step 2:Take your answer
 th
Ÿ Before the 6 finger,you have 5 fingers.
Therefore 5 is the first digit of your answer.
th
Ÿ After the 6 finger, you have 4 fingers.
Therefore,4 is the second digit of your
answer.
Ÿ Put them side by side and you will have 5 4

Therefore, 9 x 6 = 54
Do you want us to try one more example?
Example 3
9x8=?
Now this time around, use your own fingers.
Stretch your 10 fingers out facing outside (back
of your fingers facing you)
Step 1: Count 8 from your left hand and fold the
8th finger.
Step 2: Take your answer
th
Ÿ Before the 8 finger, you have 7 fingers. That
is the first digit of your answer,
th
Ÿ After the 8 finger you have 2 fingers
Ÿ Place them side by side
7 2 and that is your answer . Now try these; 9 x
5, 9 x 8.
8
 TRICK 15
LEARNING YOUR
13 -20 TIMES TABLE
I want to show you a powerful trick to multiply any
number between 13 – 20 times tables.
Are you ready? Ok

Example 1:
19 x 14 = ?
You don't need to memorize anything to get the
answer.
As a matter of fact, you can work it out from your
head.
19 X 14 = ?
Step 1: pick the 19 in the front and add the last digit of
the second figure.
19 x 14 = 19 + 4 = 23
Step 2: put zero behind whatever figure you got in
step 1 = 230
Step 3: multiply the two last digits (9 x 4) and add to
what you got in step 2
1 9 x 1 4 ? = 36
Add the two answers 36 + 230 = 266
That is your answer 266
Let us try another example

Example 2:
14 x 15 = ?
Solution
14 x 1 5 = (14 +5) = 19
Put zero = 190 call that (A)
1 4 x 1 5 = (4 x 5) = 20 call this (B)
Add A + B = 190 + 20 = 210
Answer is 210

One more example

Example 3:
13 x 20= ?
Solution
13 x 2 0 = 13 + 0 = 13
Put zero = 130 call that A
13x20 = 0 call that B
Add A+B 130
Because one of the figures is more than Tens (i.e. 20),
we need to multiply the addition of (A+B) by 2 of tens.
130 x 2 = 260
That is your answer. Very simple!
With this trick, you don't have a problem multiplying
from 13 to 20.
Please do the following in your head without writing
anything down.

Exercises
15 x 20, 13 x 12, 15 x 12, 19 x 17, 18 x 16
 TRICK 16
MULTIPLYING 2 DIGIT
NUMBERS UP TO 100
If you are to multiply 13 x 21

I am sure you have been taught to do it this way:

In this lesson, I want to teach you an easier method you can

use to multiply any 2 digit numbers up to 100.
Are you ready for it?
Ok

Example 1
Multiply 13 x 45
Step 1
multiply the first digits of the numbers you are
multiplying.
In this case, it is 1 x 4 = 4
Step 2
cross multiply the two numbers and add their values
together.
4 x 3 = 12
5x1= 5
17
You can't write 17 in the middle therefore take 1 to the
first column and write 7
Step 3:
Multiply the last digit of the two numbers and that gives
me 15.
You can't write 15 as the last digit of the answer,
therefore take one to the second column and write 5
Finally, take your answer
Column 1: (4 + 1) = 5 Column 2: (7+1)= 8 Column 3; you have 5

Your answer is 585.

EXERCISES:
(1) 17 X 12 = (2). 16 X 19 = (3} 15 X 15
 TRICK 17

MULTIPLYING BY ZERO
I suppose you should know this trick but if you don't,
here is how to multiply number that are in friendly
wholes, 10, 20, 200, 300 etc.

Ÿ Assuming you are solving a Maths problem and you

get to a point where you need to multiply 20x50.How
will you do it?

The usual (hard) way?

Ÿ You don't have to go through this long process of

multiplying two figures ending with zero.
Ÿ
As a matter of fact, you should be able to do this in your head.
Now let us do this the easier way.
Example I
300x500
Step 1
Remove the zero (note how many they are)
3 00 x 5 00
Four zeros
Step 2:
Multiply what you have left. i.e. after removing zeros, you will
be left with 3 x 5
3 x 5= 15
Step 3:
Put back the four zeros
3x5 = 150000
There you have the answer 150,000

Example 2
Multiply 300 x 400

Step 1
Remove the zeros (four)

Step 2
Multiply the remaining 3 x 4=12

Step 3
Add back the zeros (the four zeros)
300 x 400 = 120000
That is your answer = 120,000
 TRICK 18
MULTIPLY BY 5

Five multiplication table is simple to memorize. If however, you

have to multiply any figure by 5, and you are not so good at 5
multiplication table, here is the trick to do it.
THE EASIEST WAY TO MULTIPLY A NUMBER BY 5 IS TO FIRST
DIVIDE THE NUMBER INTO 2, THEN MULTIPLY BY 10.
Example 1
14 x 5= ?
Step 1:Cut the 14 in half
14 ÷ 2 = 7
Step 2: Multiply what you have got by 10 I.e.
7 x10 = 70
there you have your answer.
Example 2
15 x 5
Step I:
15 ÷ 2= 7.5
Step 2
Multiply what you got by 10
7.5 x 10
When you multiply 7.5 x 10 it will remove the decimal point
in-between the 7.5. You will be left with a whole number= 75

Therefore 15 x 5 =75
Very simple

Exercise;
1. 17 X 5
2. 12 X 5
3. 15 x 5
 TRICK 19
SIMPLE TRICKS TO
MULTIPLY BY 11
Suppose you are solving a Maths problem, and you need to
multiply a figure by 11. I don't advise that you do it the usual
(hard) way. Use this easier trick

Example I
22x11=?
I don't expect you to go to the usual way i.e.
There is a faster and easier way
22 x 11

Step 1: Add the two digits of the figure, multiply 11 i.e.

2+2=4.

Step 2: Put whatever you got in the middle of the two digits
multiplying 11 i.e. 242.

There you have the answer 242

Example 2 25 x 11 = ?

Step 1: Add 2 + 5 = 7

Step 2: put it in the middle of 25 = 275

There, 25 x 11 = 275
Let us consider one more example
74 x 11 = ?

Step 1:
Add 7 + 4 = 11

Step 2
Put the 11 in between 7 and 4
(you need to be careful here)
1
714
= 814

We have used this method before. You remember?

Exercises
1. 21 x 11
2. 62 x 11
3. 92 x 11
 TRICK 20
MULTIPLICATION
WITH DIFFERENCE
If you are asked to multiply 6 times 17, I wouldn't expect you to
use“circle under” method as I think it is not the easiest way to
solve this particular problem.
All you could do is to simply multiply 6 times 10 and add 6 times 7.
6 x 10 = 60
6 x 7 = 42
60 + 42 = 102
So our answer is 102
Example 2:
How about 6 times 27?
6 x 20 = 120. It can also be gotten 6 x 2 x 10 = 120
6 times 7 is 42.
Then, you will add 120 + 42 = 162.
There you have your answer
This is much easier than working with positive and negative
numbers.
It is easy to multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number.
For these types of problems, you have the option of using 60,
70 and 80 as reference numbers.
This means that there is no gap in the numbers up to 100 that
are easy to multiply.
Let's try a few more for practice:
7 x 63 =
You could use two reference number for this, so we will try
both methods.
Firstly, let's use a direct multiplication.
7 x 60 = 420 i.e 7 x 6 x 10 = 420
7 x 3 = 21
420 + 21 = 441
Simple enough

Example 3:
You need to multiply 8 x 93
Step 1 8 x 90 = 720 i.e 8 x 9 x 10 = 720
Step 2 8 x 3 = 24
Step 3 Add 720 + 24 = 744
 TRICK 21

MULTIPLYING WITH 9

Anytime you need to multiply any number with 9, this trick will

help you to do that easily and faster.

Example 1

Suppose you are put on the spot and you are asked; 23 x 9 =?

To solve this problem in your head, all you need to do is to

multiply the 23 x 10 and subtract 23 from whatever figure you

get.

Let us do this.

Step 1: Multiply 23 by 10 23 x 10 = 230

Step 2: Subtract 23 from whatever you get = 23

This is your answer 207

Very simple you said.

 Let us try one more example 47 x 9 =?

Step 1:Multiply 47 x10 = 470

Step 2:Subtract 47 from what you got -47

423

This one is very simple.

Example 2:

You need to multiply 27 x 9

Step 1: Multiply 27 x 10 = 270

Step 2: Subtract 27 from what you got in step 1 - 27
Your answer is 243
Now try to do the following in your head.
1. 21 x 9
2. 43 x 9
3. 400 x 9
4. 420 x 9
5. 27 x 9
 TRICK 22
MULTIPLYING
WITH DECIMAL POINT

The trick here is to ignore the decimal point at the beginning

of the problem, then put it back (if necessary) at the end of
the problem.
Let's apply this method.
Example1
2.5 x 3
Step 1: Rewrite the problem without the decimal point (but
note how many figures you have after the decimal points).
25 x 3
Multiply 25 x 3 = 75
Step 2: Put the decimal back in 75 7.5 we only have one
figure after the decimal, so we put back by counting from
right to left
Answer: 7.5
Example 2
Now let us try a problem with decimal point and zeroes;
200 x 3.3
Step 1: Rewrite the problem without the decimal and zeroes
(Note we only have one figure after the decimal point)
Step 2: Multiply 2 x 33 = 66
Step 3 Put back the two zeroes 6600
Step 4 Put back the decimal point 660.0
The answer is 660

Example 3
Multiply 2.3 x 23.2
Step 1: Multiply without the decimal 23 x 232
(2 numbers after the decimals – 2 places of decimal)
= 5336
Step 2: Add back the decimal (remember 2 places of decimal
was removed before. Count from the back)
=53.36
That is your answer!
Now, it is your turn.
(1. ) 1.2 x 3 (2.) 1.4 x 3 (3.) 2.2 x 4 (4.) 3.5 x 2
 TRICK 23
MULTIPLYING
BY 9 TRICK
This is an easy method that is helpful for multiplying any
number by 9. Here is how it works:
Let's use the example of 9 x 3.

Step 1
Subtract 1 from the number that is being multiplied by 9.
3–1=2
The number 2 is the first number in the answer to the
equation.

Step 2:
Subtract that number from the number 9.
9–2=7
The number 7 is the second number in the answer to the
equation.
So, 9 x 3 = 27

Now It's Your Turn:

1. 9 x 7
2. 9 x 6
3. 9 x 5
4. 9 x 8
 TRICK 24
MULTIPLYING ANY
NUMBER BY 5
When multiplying the number 5 by an even number, there is a
quick way to find the answer.

For example, 5 x 4 =
·Step 1: Take the number being multiplied by 5 and cut it in half,
this makes the number 4 become number 2.
·Step 2: Add a zero to the number to find the answer. In this
case, the answer is 20.

5 x 4 = 20

When multiplying an odd number times 5, the formula is a bit

different.

For instance, consider 5 x 3.

Step 1: Subtract one from the number being multiplied by 5, in
this instance the number 3 becomes the number 2.

Step 2: Now halve the number 2, which makes it the number 1.

Make 5 the last digit. The number produced is 15, which is the
answer.
5 x 3 = 15
Now it's Your Turn:
1. 5 x 9
2. 5 x 3
3. 5 x 13
4. 5 x 5
 TRICK 25
MULTIPLYING FROM
LEFT TO RIGHT
The trick is to split the two digit number into two parts,
multiply each part separately, then add the two products
together. Since multiples of 10 are easy to multiply, start by
splitting out a multiple of 10.
Example 1
Let's now multiply 13 by 8
Problem : 13 x 8
Step 1 : Split 13 into 2 parts 10 + 3 will give 13
Step 2 : Multiply the 10 by 8 10 x 8 = 80
Step 3 : multiply the 3 by 8 3 x 8 = 24
Step 4 : Add the 80 and 24 80 + 24 =104
Your answer is 104.
Let us try another example
Example 2: 24 x 7
Step 1: Split the 24 in two part 20 + 4
Step 2: Multiply the 20 by 7 20 x 7 = 140
Step 3: Multiply the 4 by 7 4 x 7 = 28
Step 4: Add the 140 and the 28 140 + 28 = 168
Answer: 168
Now it is your turn
1. 12 x 9
2. 15 x 8
3. 26 x 6
4. 37 x 3
5. 18 x 7
6. 23 x 8
 TRICK 26
SIMPLE DIVISION

Dividing Smaller Numbers.

If you have to divide 10 oranges among 5 people, they would

receive 2 oranges each. It is just a matter of dividing 10 by 5 = 2
Do you get?
This is simple to do because 5 can divide 10 without any
remainder.
If you have to divide 33 tin of milk among 4 people, they would
each receive 8 tin of milk and there would be 1tin of milk left over.
It is a matter of dividing 33 by 4 = 8 remainder 1

Thirty-three cannot be evenly divided by 4. We call the 1 tin left

over the remainder. We would write the calculation like this:
9
4 3,721
We begin from the left-hand side of the number we are dividing,
3 is the first digit on the left.

We begin by asking, what do you multiply by 4 to get an answer

of 3?
Three is less than 4, so we can't evenly divide 3 by 4. So we join
the 3 to the next digit, 7, to make 37. What do we multiply by 4
to get an answer of 37?
There is no whole number that gives you 37 when you multiply it
by 4, we now ask, what will give an answer just below 37? The
answer is 9, because 9 x 4 =36. That is as close to 37 as we can
get without going above. So, the answer is (9 x 4=36), with 1 left
over to make 37. One is our remainder.
We would write ''9'' above the 7 in 37. (Or below, depending on
how you set up the problem). The 1 left over is carried to the
next digit and put in front of it. The 1 carried the remainder 1
and put it in front of 2, giving me 12. The calculation now looks
like this:
We now divide 12 by 4. What number multiplied by 4 gives an
answer of 12? The answer is 3 as in (3 x 4=12) write 3 above (or
below) the 2. There is no remainder as 3 times 4 is exactly 12.
The last digit is less than 4 so it can't be divided. Four divides into
1 zero times with 1 remainder.

The finished problem should look like this:

930 R 1
4 371 21 1

The 1 remainder can be expressed as a fraction, ¼.

The ¼ comes from the 1 remainder over the divisor 4.
The answer would be 930 ¼ or 930.25.
This is a simple method and should be carried out on one line. It
is easy to calculate these problems mentally this way.
 TRICK 27

DIVIDING BY 10

When a number ends in a zero, you can divide it by 10 simply

by removing the zero. For example, 470÷ 10 = 47. When the
number doesn't in a zero, just move the decimal point of the
number one place to the left.

Example 1: 120 ÷ 10
Remove the zero from 120 12
Answer 12 token

Example 2: move the decimal point one to the left 75 ÷10

Move the decimal point place to the left 7.5.
Answer is 7.5
What if you'd like to divide a number by 100? Simply move the
number's decimal point two places to the left. So 826 ÷ 100 =
8.26. if the number you are dividing ends in two zeroes, just
remove the zeroes to get the answer.
4900 ÷ 100 = 49

Now your turn

1. 46 ÷ 10 4. 5300 ÷ 10
2. 7400 ÷ 10 5. 288 ÷ 10
3. 314 ÷ 10 6. 190 ÷ 10
 TRICK 28
DIVIDING BY NUMBERS
1
ENDING IN /2

Dividing by a number ending in1/2or (0.5) is difficult. So we are

going to double it to make it a whole number. But if we double

the number we are dividing by, we also have to double the

number we are dividing into.

Example 1: 28÷ 31/2

Step 1: double the 31/2 31/2 x 2 = 7

Step 2: double the 28 28 x 2 = 56

Step 3: Divide the 56 by the 7 56÷ 7 = 8

Your answer will be 8

Example 2: 33÷ 51/2
Step 1: double the 51/2 51/2 x 2 = 11
Step 2: double the 33 33 x 2 = 66
Step 3: Divide the 66 by the 11 66÷ 11= 6
Your answer is 6

Another way to end a number in 1/2 is to end it in .5. So if you

were to see a calculation such as 26÷6.5, think of the 6.5 as
61/2 and go ahead and use these tricks!
Now is your turn

1. 18 ÷ 11/2 3. 27 ÷ 41/2

2. 26 ÷ 61/2 4. 20 ÷ 21/2
 TRICK 29
SIMPLE DIVISION USING CIRCLES

Let's try a simple example 56divided8

73

28 56

Here is how it works. We are dividing 56 by 8. We set up the

problem as above, or, if you prefer, you can set up the
problem as below. Stick to the way you have been taught.

8 56
2
7 3

First: We draw a circle below the 8 (the number we are

dividing by – the divisor) and then ask, how many do we need
to make 10?

In this case is 2.

So we write 2 in a circle below the 8. We add the 2 to the tens

digits number we are dividing 5 is the tens digit of 5T6U) and
get an answer of 7. Write 7 above the 6 in 56. Draw a circle
above our answer (7). Again, how many more do we need to
make 10?
In this case, it's 3.

So we write 3 in the circle above the 7. Now multiply the

numbers in the circles
2x3=6
Subtract 6 from the units' digit of 56 to get the remainder
6–6=0
There is 0 remainder.
The answer is 7 with 0 remainder.
Example 2:
Here is another example: 75 ÷ 9

2
8r3
9 75
1

How many away from 10 is the divisor? 1

Add one to the Tens figure (7T 5U). In this case it is 7 (7+1) = 8
That is the first figure of your answer
How many away is 8 from 10 = 2
Multiply the figures in the circles i.e 2 x 1 = 2
Subtract the 3 from the Unit of your figure, in this case, it is 5
(5-3) = 2
That is your reminder. So, your answer is 8 R 2
Example 2:
Here is another example that will explain what we do when
the result is too high.
3
7
8 52
2

Eight is 2 below 10, so we write 2 in the circle.

We now draw another circle above the 7.

How many to make 10? = 3.
So we write 3 in the circle. To get the remainder we multiply
the two numbers in the circles and take the answer from the
units' digit. Our work should look like this.3
3
7
8 52
2
2 x 3 = 6.
Though that we can't take 6 from the units digits, 2. Our
answer is too high. To rectify this, we drop the answer by 1 to
6, and write a small 1 in front of the units digit, 2, making it 12.
Six is 4 below 10, so we write 4 in the circle.

6R 4
1
8 52
2
4

We multiply the two circled numbers, 2 x 4 = 8. We take 8

from the units' digits, now 12; 12 – 8 = 4. Four is the remainder.

The answer is 6 R 4.

Test yourself:
a) 76 ÷ 9
b) 76 ÷ 8
c) 71 ÷ 8
The answers are:
a) 8 R 4
b) 9 R 4
c) 8 R 7
 TRICK 30
DIVISION BY NUMBERS
ENDING IN 5

To divide by a two-digit number ending in 5, double both

numbers and use factors. As long as you double both numbers,
the answer doesn't change. Think of 4 divided by 2.
The answer is 2 .

Now double both numbers. It becomes 8 divided by 4, the

answer remains the same. (This is why you can cancel
fractions without changing the answer.)

Let's have a try:

Example 1
1,120 ÷ 35 =
Double both numbers... Two times 11 is 22, and two times 20 is
40; so 1,120 doubled is 2,240. Thirty-five doubled is 70.

The problem is now.

2,240/70 =
To divide by 70, we divide by 10, then by 7. We are using factors.
2,240 ÷ 10 = 224
224 ÷ 7 = 32.

This is an easy calculation. Seven divides into 22 three times (3 x

7 = 21) with 1 remainder, and put 1 in front 4, it becomes 14.7
divides 14 two times.

This is a useful shortcut for division by 15, 25, 35 and 45. You can
also use it for 55. This method also applies to division by 1.5, 2.5,
3.5, 4.5, and 5.5.

Let's try another:

Example 2
512 ÷ 35 =

Five hundred doubled is 1,000. Twelve doubled is 24. Therefore

512 doubled is 1,024. 35 doubled is 70.
The problem is now:
1,024 ÷ 70
Divide 1,024 by 10, then by 7.

1024 ÷ 10 = 102.4

102.4 ÷ 7 =

Seven divides ten once; 1 is the first digit of the answer. Carry

the 3 remainder to the 2, giving 32.

32 ÷ 7 = 4.4

We now have 2 answers which are 1 and 4 with a remainder 4.

We carry the 4 to the next digit, 4 to get 44. Don't forget to put

your point.

44 ÷ 7 = 6 R 2

Our answer is 14.6 R 2.

We have to be careful with the remainder. The 2 remainder we

obtained is not the remainder for the original problem. We will

now look at obtaining a valid remainder when we divide using

factors.

Test yourself:

Try these for yourself, calculating the remainder.

a). 2,345 ÷ 36 =

b). 2, 713 ÷ 25 =

The answers are:

a). 65 R 5.

b). 108 R 13.

FRACTIONS
 TRICK 30

FRACTIONS MADE EASY

When I was in primary school, I noticed that many of my

teachers had problems when they had to explain fractions. But
fractions are easy.
Working with Fractions.
Now we are going to learn how to work with fractions by;
a). Adding Fractions.
If we are adding quarters, the calculation is easy. One quarter
plus one-quarter makes two quarters, or a half. If you add
another quarter, you have three-quarters.
If the denominators are the same, you simply add the
numerators.

For instance, if you wanted to add one-eighth plus two-eighth,

you would have an answer of three-eighths. Three-eighths plus
eighth gives an answer of six-eights.
How would you add one-quarter plus one eighth?
1/4 + 1/8 =
If you change the quarter to 2/8; then you have an easy
calculation of

2/8 + 1/8.
It is not difficult to add 1/3 and 1/6.
If you can see that 1/3 is the same as 2/6, then you just add the
sixths together. So 2/6 plus 1/6 equals 3/6. You just add the
numerators.
This can be easily seen if you are dividing slices of a cake.
If the cake is divided into 4slices, and you eat 1 piece (1/4) and
your friend has 2 pieces (2/4), you have eaten 3/4 of the cake.
Example 2:
1÷3 + 2÷5 =
1 + 2 = 5+6 = 11
3 5 15 15
1 x 5 = 5.
3 x 2 = 6.
5 + 6 = 11.

Step 1:
Eleven is the top number (the numerator) of the answer.
Now we multiply the bottom numbers (the denominators) to
find the denominator of our answer.
3 x 5 = 15.
The answer is 11 ÷ 15.

Example 3:
Here is another example:
Multiply crossways.
3/8 + 1/7 =
3 + 1 = 21 + 8 = 29
8 7 56 56
 3 x 7 = 21
8x1=8
21 + 8= 29
We add the totals for the numerator, which gives us 29.
Then we multiply the denominators!
8 x 7 = 56. This is the denominator of the answer.
Our answer is. 29/56
 TRICK 31

QUADRIPLET OF MATHS

Quadruplets of Maths are four cardinal areas of Mathematics.

When you are good at these four areas, you are 40% ahead in
Maths.
These areas are;
Ÿ Decimals
Ÿ Fraction
Ÿ Ratio
Ÿ Percentage

In most Maths exam questions, 10% of the questions will come

from Ratios, 7% will come from Decimals, 12% will come from
Fractions and 10% will come from percentages.

Mastery of these four topics will give you 40% chances in any
exams at this level.

In this chapter, I will give you the essential knowledge and skills
you need to be grounded in these four areas.
Let us start by testing your knowledge in these four areas.

Step 1:

Example one
Complete the table below as fast as you can. Find equivalent
value in decimal, fraction, ratio and percentage as the case
may be.

Hint: If you have watched my videos on these four topics, you

should be able to easily complete the table.

Decimal| Fraction| Ratio| Percentage

 Solution

How many did you get right?

If you have problems converting fractions or decimals to

percentage, watch our video on Expressing Fractions as
Percentages.
 TRICK 32

MULTIPLYING FRACTIONS
Here is how to do it. We simply multiply the
numerators to get the numerator of the answer, and
we multiply the denominators to get the denominator
of the answer. Easy!

Any whole number can be expressed as that number

over (divided by) one. So, 12 is the same as 12.
1
Let's try another:
To calculate the answer, we multiply 2 x 4 to get 8.
That is the top number of the answer. To get the
bottom number of our answer, we multiply the
bottom numbers of the fractions.

3 x 5 = 15
The answer is 8 ÷ 15.
It is as easy as that.
What is half of 17?
17 x 1 =
1 2
Multiply the numerators.
17 x 1 = 17
Seventeen is the numerator of the answer.
Multiply the denominators
1x2=2
Two is the denominator of the answer. So, the answer
is 17 divided by 2, which is 8 with 1 remainder. The
remainder goes to the top (numerator) and the 2 at
the bottom remains where it is for the answer.
Our answer is 8 ½
.
Dividing Fractions.
In the previous section we multiplied 17 by ½ to find half
of 12. How would you divide 17 by 1/2?
Let's assume we have 17 orange in half (divide by ½), we
would have enough for everyone, plus some left over.
If we cut an orange in half, we get 2 pieces for each
orange, so we have 17 oranges but 34 orange halves,
dividing the orange makes the number bigger. So, to
divide by one-half we can actually multiply by 2,
because we get 2 halves for each orange.
So 17/1 ÷ 1/2 is the same as 17/1 x 2/1.
To divide by a fraction, we turn the fraction we are
dividing by upside down and make it a multiplication.

That's not too hard!

Who said fractions are difficult?

Test yourself.

Try these problems in your head:

a) 1/2 ÷ 1/2 =
b) 1/3 ÷1/2 =
c) 2/5 ÷1/4 =
d) 1/4 ÷ 1/4 =

Here are the answers. How did you do?

a) 1.
b) 2/3.
c) 8/5 or 13/5.
 TRICK 33
SQUARE OF FIGURES
THAT END WITH 5
IIf you are given a question to find a square of a number that
ends with 5, you can use this easy method I am about to
show you.

Example 1
252=?
Don't go the usual (hard) way.

The above process is too long.

Here is a shorter way to multiply 25

Step 1: Add 1 to the first digit of the figure. i.e. 2+1=3

Step 2: Multiply the first digit with the new figure you got in
step 1 i.e. 2x3=6
 There you got the first figure of your answer
Step 3: 52 is 25.Just put the 25 behind what you got in step 2
and that is your answer.
Therefore,answer to252= 625
Let us try another example
352
Step 1: 3 + 1 = 4
Step 2: 3 x 4= 12
Step 3: Put 25 behind what you have got in step 2
i.e. 1225
That is the answer
Example 3
952
Step 1: add 1 to 9 = 10
Step 2: 9 x 10 = 90
Put 25 behind = 9025

Example 4
752
Step 1: add 1 to 7
7+1=8
Step 2: 7 x8 = 56
Step 3: put 25 behind what you got in step 2 = 5625
Exercises
Calculate
1. 152
2. 452
3. 252
4. 652
5. 852
6. 752
 TRICK 34
SQUARE OF ANY
OTHER NUMBER
The remaining tricks in this book is suitable for upper
elementary children.
Now if you need to square any other number aside numbers
that end with 5, you can use this trick.
Example 1
What is 242 ?
I hope you will not go the conventional way. This is what you
need to do.
28

24 560
4 16
576
20
Step 1: 24 is more than friendly number 20 by 4
Step 2: Add the 4 to 24, that gives me 28
Step 3: Multiply 28 by 20 i.e. 2 x 28 and add back the zero
in your answer. That gives you 560
Step 4 Add the square of the 4 which is 16 to what you got
in step 3.
560 + 16 = 576
Therefore, 242= 576
Punch your calculator, you will get 576
That is your answer!

Let us try one more Example

Example 2:
982= ?
This is the way to do it:
96

98 9600
2
2 4
9604
100
Step 1: 98 is less than 100 by 2
Step 2: less 2 from 98 that gives me 96
Step 3: multiply 96 by 100, that gives me 9600
Step 4: add the square of 2 which is 4
Step 5: add your answer in steps 3 and 4 = 9600 + 4 = 9604
Check your calculator. What did you get? 9604
 TRICK 36

SQUARING TWO DIGIT NUMBERS

Find square of 53.

= (53x53)
= (53+3) x (53-3) + (3x3)
= (56x50) + 9
= (560x5) + 9
= 2800 + 9 = 2809

Let's take another example

Find square of 69
= (69x69)
= (69+1) x (69-1) + (1x1)
= (70x68) + 1
= (680x7) + 1
= 4761

Let's take one more example

Find square of 45
= (45x45)
= (45-5)x(45+5) + (5x5)
= (40x50) + 25
= 2000+25
= 2025
Now It's Your Turn:
1. Find the square of 75
2. Find the square of 38
3. Find the square of 57
4. Find the square of 85
 TRICK 37

FINDING CUBE ROOTS

To find out the cube roots of a perfect cube, you need to
know some of the basic cubes
13= 1, 23 = 8, 33= 27, 43= 64, 53 = 125
63= 216, 73 =343, 83= 512, 93 = 729, 103 = 1000
To find out the cube root of any perfect cube, follow the following
steps:

Must read trick to find Square root

Find out the cube root of 19683.
Step 1: underline the last three digits and see it is ending with 3 that
means

Explanation: Look at the table; we can see that cube of 7 ends with 3, so
the unit digit of the required number would be 7
Step 2: Now look in the table and find the greatest cube which is less
than 19. We can see in this case it is 8 and its cube root is 2.

So the digit at tens place would be 2

Therefore the cube root of 19683 is 27.

Find out the cube root of 250047

Step 1: 250047
Last three digit ending with 7, From the table a cube of 3 is ending with 7
,it means the unit digit would be 3.
Step 2: Now see the first three digits .From the table we can see that the
largest cube which is less than 250 is 216( 63). So the digit at tens place
would be 6

Therefore the cube root of 250047 is 63.

Find the cube root of 175616.
Solution:
Step 1:

( ending with 6 and from the table we know that cube of 6 ends with 6.)
Step 2

(largest cube which is less than 175 is 125 and it is the cube of 5 so the
tens digit would be 5.)

There the cube root of 175616 is 56.

Find the cube root of 941192
Solution:
Step 1:

(Ending with 2 and if we observe the table carefully, we see that cube of
8 ends with 2, so the digit at unit place would be 8)
Step 2 :

(Largest cube less than 941 is 93=729 and therefore the digit at tens
place would be 9.)

So the cube root of 941192 is 98.

Now It's Your Turn:
1. Find the cube root of 17576.
2. Find the cube root of 175616.
3. Find the cube root of 262144.
4. Find the cube root of 421875.
 TRICK 38
TRICK FOR BIRTHDAY
MONTH AND DATE
Are you ready to spice up math class with this pretty cool birthday math
trick!
This little math trick should make you seem like a sort of math genius.
Have fun with it. It will involve some math calculations so be sure the
person does the math correctly.
Note: Make sure you try this trick out for yourself first, using your own
birthdate.
There is an example that follows the steps.
· Add 18 to the month they were born
· Multiply by 25
· Subtract 333
· Multiply by 8
· Subtract 554
· Divide by 2
· Add their birth date
· Multiply by 5
· Add 692
· Multiply by 20
· Add only the last two digits of their birth year
· Subtract 32940 to get their birthday!
Pretty Cool Math Stuff!

Here's an example below...

Let's suppose someone has a birthdate of August 22, 1964.
So we want to use the format of month/day/year so this birthdate
would be 08/22/64.

Notice we only used two digits for the year.

1. 18 + 8 = 26
2. 26 x 25 = 650
3. 650 - 333 = 317
4. 317 x 8 = 2536
5. 2536 - 554 = 1982
6. 1982 / 2 = 991
7. 991 + 22 = 1013
8. 1013 x 5 = 5065
9. 5065 + 692 = 5757
10. 5757 x 20 = 115140
11. 115140 + 64 = 115204
12. 1295204 - 32940 = 82264
And there you have it....8 22 64 which is the same as August 22nd, 1964
 TRICK 39

CALENDER MATH TRICK

This calendar math trick is yet another amazing math activity

that lets kids (and adults) see just how cool math is! Just grab
a calendar from off the wall or wherever you can get one.

The Effect:
· Have a friend circle a group of nine numbers. Make sure the
numbers are in a 3 by 3 rectangle like the picture shows here.
· Tell your friend that you have the special ability to add all nine of
the numbers circled in your head in a matter of seconds!
· You give the correct answer and have them check it with a
calculator.
The Secret: All you have to do to get the sum of all nine numbers is to
multiply the number in the center of the circled numbersby nine! So for
our example, the center number is 11.
 So you just need to multiply in your head, “9 x 11”.
For those of you who've memorized your multiplication facts, you know
right away that the answer is 99.
HANDY TIP: To multiply by 9 quickly, just multiply by 10 then subtract your
number. So to get 22 x 9 you multiply 22 x 10 =220 (easy!) and then
subtract 22. With a bit of practice you can do this quickly in your head.
After you perform the trick once, perform it again, this time make it a
little more interesting. Challenge them to a race. Say to your friend, “I
will add the nine numbers in my head while you add them with the
calculator, and I will get the answer first”. You just perform it the same
way as before – just multiply the middle number by 9 to get the answer.
They should be pretty impressed and if they are like most, will wonder
how it was done. Usually no one will figure out the secret.
Now, how about a grand finale to impress them even more. This time tell
them to circle 20 numbers in a 5 by 4 rectangle – and you will add up all
the circled numbers in your head in a couple of seconds!
Take a look at the picture below.
The Secret: Add the smallest and largest numbers that are circled and
multiply their sum by 10. And that's it. Pretty cool, huh.
So for the above example;
6 + 31 = 37 and then,
37 x 10 = 370
So the sum of all 20 numbers is 370!
Have fun with this trick. No one will be able to figure out how you get
the answer so fast! If you liked this calendar math trick, we will be
adding another real soon that is also really cool.
 TRICK 40
DICE GAME

You can show off your ability to add and subtract figures in your
head with this simple but powerful Math game trick.
You will need 5 dice.

Let the 5 dice be thrown at the same time, tell your friends that
you can know the sum of all the numbers down the dice.
Pretend that you are looking through the dice to see the bottom
numbers. What you should actually be doing is adding up the top
numbers of all the 5 dice.

Then, announce the sum of the bottom numbers. I am sure you

are asking, How?

Well, all you have to do is to subtract the sum of theface value of

the 5 dice that you have added from 35.
Then, turn over the 5 dice and let your friends add the numbers,
they will get the same answer as you got.

HOW THE TRICKS WORKS

On any die, the sum of the top number and the bottom number is
7. So for example, if you toss one die and the top number of the die
is a 3, the number at the bottom of the die will be a 4, since 4+3 = 7
So if you throw out 5 dice, the total of all the top and bottom
numbers will be 5 x 7 = 35
BONUS TRICKS
 TRICK 41
FINDING SOMEONE'S
AGE TRICK

So if the person you do this trick on is 12 years old, here's how it

would work:
Step 1: 1 x 5 = 5 (Multiply 1st digit of age by 5)
Step 2: 5 + 3 = 8 (Add 3 to this result)
Step 3: 8 x 2 = 16 (Multiply by 2)
Step 4: 16 + 2 = 18 (Add the 2nd digit of age)
Step 5: 18 – 6 = 12 (Subtract 6)
And there you have it…..the age of the person is 12.
 TRICK 42
MATHS GAME
NUMBER WORDS
Let us round off on a lighter mood.

I discovered that Maths is magic just that it doesn't involve

other lies of magic.

If you assign figures to the 24 English alphabets, some

important words add up to 100. I really do not think this is just a
coincidence.

Let us examine and explore.

Step 1

Step 2
Convert the alphabets in a word to numbers and find the
word's total.
Let us try it for my name; BIODUN
B=2
I= 9
0 = 15
D=4
U = 21
N = 14
Total 65
Wow! My name is not up to 100%
Let us try Mathematics;
Pick the corresponding figure for each alphabet that forms the
word Mathematics and you will have:

Challenge for you:

Use the table below to find a word that will total 100
A=1,B=2,C=3,D=4,E=5,F=6,G=7,H=8,I=9J=10
K=11,L=12,M=13,N=14,O=15,P=16,Q=17,R=18,S=19,
T=20, U=21,V=22,W=23,X=24,Y=25,Z=26,

Solution:
TELESCOPE = 20 + 5 + 12 + 5 + 19 + 3 + 15 + 16 + 5 = 100
SQUARES = 19 + 17 + 21 + 1 + 18 + 5 + 19
= 1 + 5 + 17 + 18 + 2x19 + 21
= 100
AN EXCELLENT ANWSER IS EXCELLENT
A=1,B=2,C=3,D=4,E=5,F=6,G=7,H=8,I=9J=10
K=11,L=12,M=13,N=14,O=15,P=16,Q=17,R=18,S=19,
T=20, U=21,V=22,W=23,X=24,Y=25,Z=26,
E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T
5 + 24 + 3 + 5 + 12 + 12 + 5 + 14 + 20 = 100
See the following words in their other of
Importance to success in academic and life in
general:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
On this note I want to sign out. ATTITUDE IS
EVERYTHING. Your attitude will determine your
altitude in life.
Practice these tricks as many times as you can
until they become part of you.
The aim for this trick is to stimulate your brain,
when you are going through it again, make sure you
do them off hand.
Hope you have enjoyed the journey so far.
I wish you the very best.
To your success,
Biodun Omosaku
www.biodunomosaku.com
0802-322-6334
 OTHER
MATERIALS
BY THE AUTHOR
 THE WHIZ KID
HOW TO IDENTIFY, MEASURE AND NURTURE YOUR CHILD'S OTHER
INTELLIGENCIES

Researches have shown that No child succeeds in life

with only “school” intelligence. Every Child Needs a
Combination of four out of the nine known
intelligences to succeed in Life.
In this book, discover;

• Different kinds of intelligences your child is

endowed with
• How to identify, measure and nurture your child's
intelligence in each area
• Your Child's natural blends of intelligence and how you can
channel your efforts into shaping them
• The fact that your child is not doing well in Maths is not an
indication that he will fail in life. Find out The truth and the
myth about over-rated school Intelligence.
• Discover amazing strategies to bring out your child's
 SEMINARS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
SCHOOLS DIVISION PUBLIC SEMINARS FOR PROFESSIONALS
MANAGERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS

•I am not a Dullard Students

Program – Learning How to
Learn Session with Students
•I am Gifted Holiday Program –
For Students
•Maths Clinic – Saturdays and
Home Lesson for Children –
Primary 4 – JSS 3
• The Whole Brain Teaching Methodology – For Teachers
• Teaching With Charts and Diagram – For Teachers
• Leveraging Interest and Technology to Teach – Teachers
Program
• Excellence in Education (EIE) – For Teachers
PUBLIC SEMINARS FOR PROFESSIONALS MANAGERS AND
BUSINESS OWNERS

Pattern of Excellence (NLP BASED)

• Presentation Dynamics
• Millionaire in Business (Entrepreneurial)
• Marketing Your Way to Millions
• Communication Strategies
• Peak Performance Selling