Tricks for Math - Cool Tips

A deep understanding of maths is essential for developing a mastery of the subject but even the ablest mathematician uses tricks to simplify arithmetic.  These tricks are simple to learn and can speed up mental calculations.

Tricks for Math passes on some of these shortcuts to achieving answers in arithmetic.  

There is something of a philosophical dimension to how useful you think these tricks are.  For simplicity's sake, some are described in a way that does not represent the actual maths driving them.  Take dividing by 100 and being instructed to move the decimal point two places to the left.  This works and it gives you the answer quickly. It isn't, however, what is happening - mathematically, the numbers are moving two places to the right.

It is true that simple tricks like the ones in this app can mask a less than secure understanding of mathematical concepts.  This can be problematic when the underlying maths moves on.  This does not invalidate these tricks.  Good teachers should be establishing the building blocks of maths.  These tricks are the flamboyant flourishes of those who know what is happening conceptually but want the answer to their arithmetic quickly and accurately.

This app passes on many tricks for completing arithmetic questions quickly - far more rapidly than would be possible using methods that spell out the underlying maths.   Improved accuracy and speed in mental maths tests are what learning them offers.

That these tricks even work is often a wonder to students and they can be used as the basis of working out just why they work.  Seeing how the seemingly impossible simplicity and consistency of these tricks cut through complex maths and yet are entirely based on it can be eye opening.

The app itself is simple to use and understated in its looks.  It is mostly text based.  It includes an explanatory section that describes how to perform each trick and gives an example.  There is then a practice section to provide a supported introduction to using the trick.  Finally, there is a quiz section where students complete questions using what they have learned under strict time conditions.  The time limit often makes it clear just how efficient these tricks are.  Trying to answer the questions using traditional methods would often be impossible within the time allowed.

On a large tablet device, the app can look a little bare.  The text and questions rarely need all of the screen space and so much of it is left blank.  This is likely to be much less of an issue on a handheld device.  It would have been nice to see the font increase in size for tablets, though, just to add clarity and make better use of the dimensions. We have been told by the developer that they are in the process of doing so.

The tricks are widely known but having them in an app that teaches and supports practising the use of them is very useful.  Using this app, teachers can add some intriguing knowledge to their lessons.  Students can master maths tricks that will leave them proud of their maths skills.

You can download Tricks for Math - Cool Tips on your iOS devices from the Apple App Store.