Boost Your Brain's Agility with "Mental Math Sprint"! A 60-Second Calculation Training

Why Adults Need "Mental Math" More Than Ever

When asked "What is 7 + 8?", do you find yourself hesitating for a moment? In modern society, with the spread of smartphones and PCs, we are losing opportunities to calculate daily.

You might think, "I have a calculator, so it's fine." It is true that digital tools are indispensable for accurate calculations. However, it has been pointed out that "ceasing even simple calculations" leads to a decline in the brain's working memory.

Working Memory and Brain Aging

Working memory is the ability to temporarily hold incoming information in the brain and process it. It is used in every aspect of daily life, such as thinking of a reply while remembering the content of a conversation, or planning cooking steps.

This ability is said to peak in your 20s and gradually decline, but by maintaining a calculation habit, it is possible to slow down or maintain that decline. Mental math acts as excellent training for working memory because it involves instantaneously performing the process of "memorizing numbers," "manipulating them," and "producing an answer."

Activating the Prefrontal Cortex

As known from research including that of Tohoku University's Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, solving simple calculations quickly strongly activates the "prefrontal cortex," which is the command center of the brain.

Improved Concentration: Training to process in a short time enhances concentration in work and study.
Enhanced Judgment: Information processing speed increases, cultivating immediate judgment skills.
Mental Health Improvement: Solving problems rhythmically puts the brain in a "pleasant" state, leading to stress relief.

What is the New Tool "Mental Math Sprint"?

"Mental Math Sprint" added to Jenee is a simple yet addictive browser game where you compete to see how many calculation problems you can solve within 60 seconds. No app installation is required, and you can play for free right now.

Mental Math SprintSolve as many math problems as possible in 60 seconds.

Game Rules

The rules are extremely simple.

Time Limit is 60 Seconds: When you press the start button, a 60-second countdown begins.
Equations Appear One After Another: Calculation problems like "5 + 9 = ?" or "12 - 4 = ?" are displayed.
Select from Four Choices: Tap (or click) the correct answer from the four choices at the bottom of the screen.
Combo Bonus: Answering correctly in succession generates a combo, increasing your score. If you make a mistake, the combo breaks, so balancing speed and accuracy is important.

4 Difficulty Levels

You can choose from 4 modes according to your level.

Beginner:
- Centers on 1-digit addition and subtraction.
- Ideal for children's calculation practice or warming up for adults who haven't calculated in a while.
- Target Score: 40 points
Normal:
- Includes 2-digit and 1-digit calculations (e.g., 15 + 8, 23 - 5).
- Calculation levels often used in daily life. Let's start here.
- Target Score: 30 points
Hard:
- Calculations between 2 digits and multiplication (times tables) also appear.
- Instant judgment is required, and you can feel the load on your brain properly.
- Target Score: 25 points
Expert:
- Calculations with 3 numbers (e.g., 5 + 8 - 3), fill-in-the-blank calculations, and complex operations appear.
- A challenging mode for those aiming to be "Mental Math Masters."
- Target Score: 20 points

"Mental Math Tips" Technique Collection to Calculate Faster

If you have a complex about being slow at calculation, rest assured. Mental math is not a talent, but a technique. Here are some "mental math techniques for adults" that were not taught in school. Just knowing these will dramatically increase your score.

1. Be Conscious of "Complements"

This is the basic of basics. Practice finding "pairs that add up to 10" instantly.

1 and 9
2 and 8
3 and 7
4 and 6
5 and 5

For example, in the case of 7 + 8:

8 becomes 10 with "2 more".
Pass 2 from 7, so 7 becomes 5.
5 + 10 = 15

Once you get used to it, the image of "10 and 5" will come to mind as soon as you see "7+8".

2. Calculate from the Left (From Larger Digits)

In written calculation, you calculate from the ones place (right) and handle carries. However, the iron rule of mental math is "from the left (larger digits)".

For example, in the case of 45 + 37:

Written Calculation Method (From Right):

5 + 7 = 12 (Write 2 and carry over 1)
4 + 3 + 1 = 8
Answer 82

Mental Math Method (From Left):

40 + 30 = 70 (Grasp the rough outline first)
5 + 7 = 12
70 + 12 = 82

The advantage of calculating from the left is that you can grasp an estimate like "about this much (over 70)" in the middle of the calculation. Also, it consumes less memory in the brain. Similarly for subtraction, key is to break down 82 - 37 like 82 - 30 = 52, 52 - 7 = 45.

3. Magic of Multiplication (Specific Patterns)

There are magic-like tricks for multiplication of specific patterns.

Calculating Multiplication by 11

"2-digit number × 11" can be solved simply by addition. Example: 35 × 11

Place 3 and 5 apart → 3 _ 5
Put 3+5 in the middle → 3 (8) 5
Answer: 385

Example: 78 × 11

Separate 7 and 8 → 7 _ 8
Put 7+8=15 in the middle. Since it carries over, add 1 to the hundreds place 7.
8 (5) 8 → Answer: 858

Square of Numbers Ending in 5

Calculations like "15×15", "25×25", "35×35". Example: 35 × 35

Multiply the tens digit "3" by the next number "4" → 3 × 4 = 12
Always attach "25" behind it.
Answer: 1225

If you know this, even if 75 × 75 appears in Expert mode, you can answer instantly: 7 × 8 = 56 → 5625.

4. Think of Subtraction as "Change"

Many people are bad at subtraction like "1000 - 648", but it is smooth if you think of this as "change from shopping".

Subtract from 9: Subtract all digits except the last one from 9.
- 9 - 6 = 3 (Hundreds place)
- 9 - 4 = 5 (Tens place)
Subtract from 10: Subtract only the last digit from 10.
- 10 - 8 = 2 (Ones place)
Answer: 352

This is an application of "complements". Rather than thinking about borrowing every time, just applying this rule (subtract all digits from 9, only the last from 10) allows you to solve amazingly fast.

Usage Scenes in Daily Life

A brain trained with Mental Math Sprint is useful everywhere in daily life.

Estimation While Shopping

When you think "I put this and this in the basket, will it fit within the 2000 yen budget?" at the supermarket, even if not accurate to the yen, using the "calculate from left" technique allows you to instantly judge "about 300 + 500 + 400 = 1200". You won't panic at the cashier.

Calculating Bill Splits

When it becomes "Total 14,500 yen, let's split it among 4 people" at a drinking party. 14000 ÷ 4 = 3500 500 ÷ 4 = 125 3500 + 125 = 3625 It's smart if you can instantly propose "It's about 3650 yen per person!".

Time Management and Arrival Prediction

"It is 14:35 now, and it takes 48 minutes to the destination. What time will I arrive?" Calculate 35 + 48. 35 + 40 = 75, 75 + 8 = 83 83 - 60 = 23 You can predict "I will arrive at 15:23".

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. How much should I do per day?

A. Even once a day (60 seconds) is effective enough. The important thing is to "continue every day". We recommend playing quickly during gap times like on the commuter train or during work breaks. Making it a habit strengthens brain circuits.

Q. Can children (elementary schoolers) do it too?

A. Yes, of course! "Beginner" mode centers on 1-digit calculations, so it is perfect for children who have started learning arithmetic. It increases calculation speed like a game, so it might lead to overcoming a dislike of arithmetic.

Q. My calculation is inevitably slow, will I get faster?

A. You will definitely get faster. At first, it's fine even if you are "counting with fingers". By repeating every day, calculation patterns that "come to mind without calculating" like multiplication tables will increase in your brain. First, please aim for a score of 20 in "Normal" mode.

Q. My score is sticking. What should I do?

A. You might be getting stuck on specific numbers (e.g., 7+6, 8+5). Be conscious of which calculations you stop at, and review the "complements" for those patterns. Also, score changes with physical condition and fatigue. When you are not feeling well, do not push yourself and challenge again the next day.

Update Your Brain with Daily "Mental Math Habits"!

Mental math is the ultimate brain training that requires no special tools or places. Using "Mental Math Sprint", you can train your calculation skills efficiently and fun like a game.

Why not start 1 minute of brain fitness a day starting today? When you get a higher score than yesterday's self, your brain is definitely evolving.