Customer Reviews

Mental Math Kids Can't Resist! (Grades 2-4)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this book in preparation for the long summer months and my two rather demanding kids. My son (age 5) loves to do math and my daughter (7) is excellent with math problems though I wanted to show her how to do things "better". I, as an adult who has been fairly efficient with math problems, have always had various "quirky" tricks that help me arrive at a math solution fast. But I found it hard to explain to my children in a systematic way why my method works. This book does the job for me. It is not a theory book; it is not exactly a workbook, though it has exercises that one can follow. It guides the reader (preferrably an adult) systematically through the process of breaking down numbers in order to solve addition, substraction, multiplification and other problems fast. Each page progressively builds upon the previous pages.

I have to admit that it helps that I have had experiences teaching and therefore I appreciate good teaching materials. I guess it also helps that I have always used certain tricks that this book discusses. But I really believe most people can benefit from this book. Each elementary school math teacher ought to get a copy of this book. Parents who wish to speed their children along with math can certainly learn a thing or two from this book as well.

This is an excellent collection of lessons that provide instructions and drills of mental arithmetic. If your child can add and subtract but needs to jump to the next level of automaticity and mastery, this book is for you. There are 8 chapters of mental math techniques on major elementary topics. Each chapter has drills to strengthen the skills. The practice sheets can be copied for more practice when needed. My child's math is improved significantly with this book. He solves problems much faster than before. In the timed Beestar math tests (an excellent web site at http://www.beestar.org), he often shows up on the honor roll. This book delivers: five stars.

In response to the previous reviewer who questioned this books value based upon the math problem shown on the cover. No, I haven't read this book either but I can read the cover pretty well.

the answer is correct (166) to those of you that seem to be blind problem is 76+6+84 not 76+6+94 look at the cove large not small and you would figure it out.

When I first saw this book, I was looking for something for my 2 boys, ages 7 and 10. They are both very good in math, but with today's pressure on kids in school, I wanted them to have that edge. They love puzzles, and figuring out problems. When I saw the review about someone adding the numbers on the cover, I was curious. So, when I looked at the cover, I saw the numbers, added them myself. Unfortunately, someone gave this book a negative review when they are the one that misadded the numbers. Maybe they should buy this book for themselves so they can learn to add...man, oh man! I think the book is great.

The answer is 176 not 166. How did they miss that? I hope the information inside is better than the cover.

I am confused... isn't the answer to the problem on the cover 176 and not 166? I mean isnt 76+6+94 176?

I have not used the book, but came on here to order it after hearing about it on the news.

I can't order something not accurate on the cover...

I am confused... isn't the answer to the problem on the cover 176 and not 166? I mean isnt 76+6+94 176?

I have not used the book, but came on here to order it after hearing about it on the news.

I can't order something not accurate on the cover...