Mental Math Exercises by Grade Level
From CE1 (1st grade) to high school — with answers
From CE1 (1st grade) to high school — with answers
Mental math is like a muscle: the more you train it, the more natural it becomes. Here are practical exercises for each grade level, with answers. Try to solve them in your head before checking the solution.
In CE1 (1st grade), we lay the groundwork. The goal: master addition and subtraction up to 20, learn doubles and complements to 10.
7 + 5 = 12
13 − 6 = 7
Double of 8 = 16
Complement to 10 of 4 = 6
Operations covered: addition up to 20, simple subtraction, doubles, complements to 10.
CE2 (2nd grade) is the big moment: multiplication tables make their entrance. We start with the easiest ones (2, 3, 5) and additions go up to 200.
3 × 7 = 21
45 + 28 = 73
5 × 9 = 45
4 packs of 6 candies = 24 candies
Operations covered: tables of 2 to 5, addition up to 200, first multiplication word problems.
In CM1 (3rd grade), all multiplication tables should be memorized. Division is introduced along with calculations using larger numbers.
8 × 7 = 56
56 ÷ 8 = 7
125 + 78 = 203
9 × 6 = 54
Operations covered: all tables (2 to 9), single-digit division, addition and subtraction up to 1,000.
CM2 (4th grade) introduces simple fractions, proportionality and calculations with 4-digit numbers. This is also the year when calculation speed really matters.
1/4 of 80 = 20
350 + 275 = 625
12 × 15 = 180
Half of 750 = 375
Operations covered: simple fractions (1/2, 1/4, 1/3), two-digit multiplication, large numbers, proportionality.
6ème (5th grade) marks the transition to middle school. Decimal numbers become everyday fare, fractions with the same denominator are added, and the first equations appear.
2/5 + 1/5 = 3/5
3.7 + 2.8 = 6.5
x + 7 = 15 → x = 8
0.25 × 4 = 1
Operations covered: decimals, fractions with the same denominator, first equations, simple percentages.
In collège (middle school, grades 6–8), negative numbers enter the picture, algebraic expressions become common, and powers appear. Good to know: on the French national exam (brevet), 25% of the math score relies on mental math.
(−3) × 7 = −21
5² − 3² = 25 − 9 = 16
2x + 5 = 17 → x = 6
(−4) × (−8) = 32
Operations covered: negative numbers, powers, first-degree equations, algebraic expressions, fractions.
In high school, mental math helps you save time on longer problems and double-check your results. Students who calculate quickly have a huge advantage on tests.
7³ = 343
2x + 3y = 13 with x = 2 → 3y = 9 → y = 3
√144 = 12
3/7 + 2/7 = 5/7
Operations covered: systems with 2 unknowns, advanced powers, square roots, irreducible fractions.
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