Have you ever watched your child stare at a math homework assignment for hours, unsure of where to begin?
Let’s face it, math can be confusing for developing brains. But what if we told you some practical, simple methods could help your child tackle even the most complicated problems as if they were playing?
This blog gives you math shortcuts that every Class 4 student should know. These tricks are not only a time-saver for your child to get through the work quicker but also to better understand numbers, use patterns, and become smarter and more efficient problem solvers, whether it is from a CBSE Class 4 book or if your child is simply helping you calculate a grocery bill.
What Are Math Tricks, and Why Are They Important?
Math tricks are smart shortcuts that rely on patterns, mental strategies, and number sense. They are not "magic." They are just a faster way to get answers without all the long calculations or written work.
These tricks are beneficial when you need :
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Speeding up mental math
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Avoiding silly mistakes
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Building number confidence
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Understanding concepts deeper
Through the use of these tricks, children learn about how numbers behave. This supports advanced problem solving, not just in math but also in logical topics from the class 4 workbook.
Top 10 Genius Math Tricks Every 4 class Student Should Know
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Double-Digit Doubler Trick
Doubling numbers like 134 or 168 is very easy if you break them into parts.
For example: Doubling 134
Step 1: Break it into tens and ones → 130 and 4
Step 2: Double each → 130 x 2 = 260, 4 x 2 = 8
Step 3: Add them both → 260 + 8 = 268
This method works well for doing mental math and simplifies multiplying when you solve a workbook at home.
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Even + Even = Even, Odd + Odd = Even
This isn't just a fact - it's an easy way to quickly check your answer to see if it makes sense.
Example: 14 + 28
Step 1: Both numbers are even.
Step 2: Add them → 14 + 28 = 42
Step 3: Even + even = even, so the answer must be reasonable.
This trick also works the opposite way - when you know the answer has to be odd or even, you can quickly catch a mistake!
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Fast Adding 3 Numbers Using Friendly Pairs
Adding three numbers entails adding the first two to make either a friendly number or a round number.
Example: 27 + 13 + 20
Step 1: Add friendly pairs of 27 and 13 → 27 + 13 = 40
Step 2: 40 + 20 = 60
This trick teaches students to think flexibly and search for number bonds. It is very effective during the problem-solving chapters in the 4th Class Science book in the unit of time when you want students to calculate values quickly.
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Reverse Check Your Subtraction
You can always verify that your answer to a subtraction question is correct by reversing that question into addition.
Example: 89 − 36 = ?
Step 1: Subtract → 89 − 36 = 53
Step 2: Verify → 53 + 36 = 89; it's correct!
This is great practice to help decrease errors through stupidity in exams or solving workbook questions.
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Multiplying by 5 Tricks
Instead of multiplying by 5, halve the number and multiply by 10.
Example: 36 × 5
Step 1: 36 ÷ 2 - 18
Step 2: 18 × 10 - 180
This trick is beneficial for students who are still developing fluency with their times tables, as well as a great way to teach shortcuts during revision.
Understanding this will also assist children in estimating positions and amounts, for example, when answering questions related to data in a Class 4 GK book.
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Multiply Any 2-Digit Number by 11
When multiplying a two-digit number by 11, you can keep it simple instead of doing long multiplication. Here is a quick and easy way.
Example 23 × 11
Step 1: The two digits are 2 and 3.
Step 2: Add the two digits: 2 + 3 = 5
Step 3: Place it between the two digits → 2, 5, 3 → Therefore, the answer is 253.
If the sum is greater than 9, then move the 1 over.
Example 59 × 11
5 + 9 = 14 - Place 4 in the middle and carry 1 over to 5
5 + 1 = 6 - Answer is 649.
Try practicing this trick on your own with different two-digit numbers. It is a great way to do mental math practice without using a calculator.
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Square Numbers that end in 5
Here is a neat way to easily square a number ending in 5.
Example: 25
Step 1: Take the number to the left of the 5 - 2
Step 2: Multiply it by the number after it - 2 x 3 = 6
Step 3: Put 25 at the end - Answer is 625.
Try it with 35 or 45 squares, doing the same process. This is such a fun mental math activity for kids!
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Check for multiples of 3.
If the sum of the digits is a multiple of 3, then the full number is divisible by 3.
For example, is 123 divisible by 3?
Step 1: Add the digits - 1 + 2 + 3 = 6
Step 2: 6 ÷ 3 = 2 - Yes, it is divisible!
I like to teach this trick while working on divisibility rules or factors.
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Multiply by 99 quickly
Instead of multiplying by 99, multiply by 100 and subtract it once!
Example: 47 × 99
Step 1: 47 × 100 = 4700
Step 2: 4700 - 47 = 4653
This trick works well while revisiting large number multiplication and prevents complicated work.
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Divide by 5 using doubling and moving the decimal
This is a quick way to divide by 5.
Example: 150 ÷ 5
Step 1: 150 × 2 = 300
Step 2: Move the decimal to the left one position → 30.0
This method helps when students are using word problems with cost, distance, or measurement.
Read More: What are the Top 10 GK Questions for CBSE Class 4?
Why Learning Tricks Is Important for Class 4 Students?
Class 4 students are at the right age to learn the most efficient and smart math habits. These mathematical tricks:
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Save time in exams
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Allow faster mental math
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Allow improved memory of number facts
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Allow problem-solving to feel like a game
Instead of monotonously repeating the rules, tricks will explain how and why numbers work the way they do!
Final Thought: Learning Tricks Is Like Learning Magic
These tricks not only save you time. They are designed to make your child more confident, more curious, and even more excited about math, whether it be a number game or a math examination. These are what turn their brain on and keep it active.
From accessing the workbooks to helping you choose toys and do chores, math is everywhere, and these tricks are basically how their brains organize math to aid their understanding.
