One Step at a Time

This lesson is called “One Step at a Time.”

Let’s get started with a question: How do you usually do a math problem? Maybe you grab a paper and pencil, write down the problem, and solve it. But did you know it can often be faster—and sometimes easier—to do it in your head?

Here’s an example:

Example:
If I want to add 500 + 300 + 40, I can do it in my head, but I don’t try to hold all three numbers at once. Instead, I do it one step at a time.

• First, I combine 500 and 300. That’s 800.
• Then I add the 40. Now I have 840.

And that’s it! Pretty simple, right? By going step by step, there’s only one number to focus on each time. You don’t clutter your mind with a bunch of numbers all at once.

Let’s try another:

400 + 200 + 50

• Start with 400 and 200. That’s 600.
• Now add 50. That gives you 650.

Again, I only concentrated on two numbers at a time. That’s the key: Take it one step at a time so you only have to keep one running total in your head.

Now, it’s your turn! I’m going to give you a series of practice problems. Feel free to pause the podcast after each one, so you can do the addition in your head. Then, resume when you’re ready for the next. Remember, combine just two numbers at a time and keep track of your running total.

Ready? Here we go:

• 300 + 200 + 40
• 600 + 100 + 20
• 500 + 30 + 400
• 7000 + 2000 + 500
• 4000 + 5000 + 400
• 6000 + 100 + 2000
• 700 + 4000 + 300
• 500 + 20 + 3000
• 50 + 400 + 30 + 5000
• 400 + 2000 + 60 + 500

Remember: Pause and do the addition in steps (two numbers at a time), then add the next number to your total.

Great job! Whether you found those easy or challenging, keep practicing. The more you get used to breaking problems into smaller parts, the quicker and more accurate your mental math will become.

Before we wrap up, let’s recap our big takeaway from today’s lesson:

Take each addition problem one step at a time. That way, you only have to remember one running total as you go.