Most errors stem from a natural reflex: reading and calculating from left to right. This makes sense when reading a sentence, but not in mathematics.
Many people do:
15 – 3 = 12
12 × 4 = 48
48 + 6 = 54
This reasoning seems logical, but it doesn’t respect the rules of mathematics. And that’s why the result is wrong.
Over time, we forget some basic rules, especially if we no longer practice mental arithmetic regularly. This kind of short exercise is therefore excellent for training your brain and refreshing your logic.
These little exercises are excellent for the brain
Simple calculations are often underestimated, but they are very useful for stimulating memory, concentration, and logic. Doing these kinds of small exercises regularly helps keep the mind sharp and attentive.
It’s a bit like a mini mental workout: a few calculations, riddles, logic puzzles… and the brain stays active. No need for complicated exercises; sometimes a simple calculation is enough to make us think and test our attention. It’s an excellent mental math exercise .
So, did you find the right answer?
If you got 9 on the first try, congratulations, you remembered the order of operations correctly. If you made a mistake, don’t worry: it happens to lots of people.
The important thing is not to never make a mistake, but to understand why you made a mistake and to learn to slow down, reflect and check your reasoning before giving an answer.
Because in mathematics, as in life, going slower often allows you to go further.
See more on the next page
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