Mental calculation

High school (ages 12+)
Mathematics & Numbers

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/mental-calculation

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary cognitive functions?Relies on working memory (especially phonological loop) and mental flexibility
2. What is the neuroanatomical basis?Significant activation observed in the parietal lobes, linked to mental imagery
3. Why is mental calculation important?It helps strengthen memory and problem‑solving skills. Learning these tricks can make math easier and faster.
4. How does the brain do mental calculation?The parietal lobes in the right side of the brain light up during mental math. People often use visual thinking, making pictures of numbers to help them.

Working Memory: A cognitive system responsible for temporarily storing and manipulating information for complex tasks.
Mental Flexibility: The cognitive ability to adapt thinking and strategies in response to changing demands or new information.
Phonological Loop: A component of working memory that rehearses auditory and verbal information, crucial for sequential processing.