How to Do Basic Math Skills

Basic math skills are essential in everyday life.

Basic math skills involve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Once these basics have been mastered, you can move on to fractions, decimals and irregular number problems. For some, learning basic math skills requires the use of pictorial learning or the use of pictures or actual objects to illustrate addition and subtraction. Many pictorial learners begin learning by counting on their fingers to get the answer they need. For others, those who learn aurally learn the basic skills by applying what they hear in class to math problems. Both types of learning can grasp basic math skills in different ways.

Instructions

Basic Skills

1. Gather 10 identical items, coins, checkers, or M&M's. If you are a pictorial learner, start with basic single-digit addition problems. A problem like "3+3" can be demonstrated by placing three of the identical items on one side and three on the other. Count the total items placed together to get the correct answer. Repeat this exercise with your homework as you work through each problem.

   If you are an aural or auditory learner, you may be able to envision the items mentally or be able to add the numbers mentally without relying on counting fingers, toes or other items.

2. Use the items for basic single-digit subtraction problems in the same way you did for the addition problems. A problem like "5-2" is illustrated with one line of five items from which you remove two. Count the remaining items and you have your answer. Auditory learners can visualize five items and removing two to receive the correct answer.

3. Arrange items into rows according to the single-digit multiplication problem. "3 x 4" will have either three rows of four items in each row or four rows of three items in each row. Count the total items in both rows and you have your answer. Auditory learners are better able to memorize the multiplication tables. Create a table with the numbers 1 through 12 listed across the top of the page in rows. In the first column downward list numbers 1 through 12.

   Multiply the number in the row by the number in the column and place the answer in the corresponding box.

4. Choose a single-digit division problem, like 9 divided by 3. Lay out the number of items in the largest number out on the table. Remove items, three at a time, and set them aside in units of three. Count the number of units created when you are done and you will have your answer. Auditory learners can count by threes mentally (3,6,9) and come up with the right answer.

Basic Math Skill MultiplicationTricks

1. List the times table for the number 9. Number across the top of the page 1 through 10. List the numbers 1 through 10 downward in a column. Note the answers moving from left to right (9,18,27,36,45,54,63,72,81,90). Each answer will add up to the number nine when you add their single digits together (i.e., 1+8, 2+7). Note that when you multiply the number 9 by another number, the answer always begins with the tens place number one digit lower. For example, 9x5 = 45, 9x6 = 54. The 4 is one digit lower than the 5 you multiplied by.

2. Create the times table for the number 10. Note that when you multiply 10 by any number 1 through 12, the answer is always the number you multiplied by with a zero at the end. 10 x 5 = 50, 10 x 12 = 120, and so forth.

3. Create the times table for the number 12. Note that the last digit in the answers form a pattern of 2,4,6,8,0,2,4,6,8,0. The answers are 12,24,36,48 and 60. Then 72, 84,96,108 and 120.

References

• IXL: Basic Math Pre-K to 8
• Basic Mathematics
• AAA Math