Mental Math

Yearly Plan
Grade 9
Draft September 2006

MENTAL MATH

Acknowledgements
The Department of Education gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following individuals to the
preparation of the Mental Math booklets:

Sharon BoudreauCape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board

Anne BoydStrait Regional School Board
Estella ClaytonHalifax Regional School Board (Retired)
Jane ChisholmTri-County Regional School Board
Paul DennisChignecto-Central Regional School Board
Robin HarrisHalifax Regional School Board
Keith JordanStrait Regional School Board
Donna KarstenNova Scotia Department of Education
Ken MacInnisHalifax Regional School Board (Retired)
Ron MacLeanCape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board
Sharon McCreadyNova Scotia Department of Education
David McKillopChignecto-Central Regional School Board
Mary OsborneHalifax Regional School Board (Retired)
Sherene SharpeSouth Shore Regional School Board
Martha StewartAnnapolis Valley Regional School Board
Susan WilkieHalifax Regional School Board

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1
Definitions ....................................................................................................... 1
Rationale .......................................................................................................... 1
The Implementation of Mental Computational Strategies ............................................. 2
General Approach............................................................................................. 2
Introducing a Strategy ...................................................................................... 2
Reinforcement .................................................................................................. 2
Assessment........................................................................................................ 2
Response Time ................................................................................................. 3
Mental Math: Yearly Plan Grade 9 ........................................................................... 4
Number Sense .................................................................................................. 5
Patterns and Relations ...................................................................................... 8
Equations and Inequations ............................................................................. 11
Probability...................................................................................................... 12
Measurement.................................................................................................. 15
Geometry ....................................................................................................... 18
Polynomials.................................................................................................... 19
Data Management .......................................................................................... 22

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

iii

MENTAL MATH

Introduction
Definitions
It is important to clarify the definitions used around mental math. Mental math in Nova Scotia refers
to the entire program of mental math and estimation across all strands. It is important to incorporate
some aspect of mental math into your mathematics planning everyday, although the time spent each
day may vary. While the Time to Learn document requires 5 minutes per day, there will be days,
especially when introducing strategies, when more time will be needed. Other times, such as when
reinforcing a strategy, it may not take 5 minutes to do the practice exercises and discuss the strategies
and answers.
For the purpose of this booklet, fact learning will refer to the acquisition of the 100 number facts
relating the single digits 0 to 9 for each of the four operations. When students know these facts, they
can quickly retrieve them from memory (usually in 3 seconds or less). Ideally, through practice over
time, students will achieve automaticity; that is, they will abandon the use of strategies and give
instant recall. Computational estimation refers to using strategies to get approximate answers by
doing calculations in ones head, while mental calculations refer to using strategies to get exact
answers by doing all the calculations in ones head.
While we have defined each term separately, this does not suggest that the three terms are totally
separable. Initially, students develop and use strategies to get quick recall of the facts. These strategies
and the facts themselves are the foundations for the development of other mental calculation
strategies. When the facts are automatic, students are no longer employing strategies to retrieve them
from memory. In turn, the facts and mental calculation strategies are the foundations for estimation.
Attempts at computational estimation are often thwarted by the lack of knowledge of the related facts
and mental calculation strategies.

Rationale
In modern society, the development of mental computation skills needs to be a major goal of any
mathematical program for two major reasons. First of all, in their day-to-day activities, most peoples
calculation needs can be met by having well developed mental computational processes. Secondly,
while technology has replaced paper-and-pencil as the major tool for complex computations, people
need to have well developed mental strategies to be alert to the reasonableness of answers generated by
technology.
Besides being the foundation of the development of number and operation sense, fact learning itself is
critical to the overall development of mathematics. Mathematics is about patterns and relationships
and many of these patterns and relationships are numerical. Without a command of the basic
relationships among numbers (facts), it is very difficult to detect these patterns and relationships. As
well, nothing empowers students with confidence and flexibility of thinking more than a command
of the number facts.
It is important to establish a rational for mental math. While it is true that many computations that
require exact answers are now done on calculators, it is important that students have the necessary
skills to judge the reasonableness of those answers. This is also true for computations students will do
using pencil-and-paper strategies. Furthermore, many computations in their daily lives will not
require exact answers. (e.g., If three pens each cost $1.90, can I buy them if I have $5.00?) Students
will also encounter computations in their daily lives for which they can get exact answers quickly in
their heads. (e.g., What is the cost of three pens that each cost $3.00?)

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MENTAL MATH

The Implementation of Mental Computational

Strategies
General Approach
In general, a strategy should be introduced in isolation from other strategies, a variety of different
reinforcement activities should be provided until it is mastered, the strategy should be assessed in a
variety of ways, and then it should be combined with other previously learned strategies.

Introducing a Strategy
The approach to highlighting a mental computational strategy is to give the students an example of a
computation for which the strategy would be useful to see if any of the students already can apply the
strategy. If so, the student(s) can explain the strategy to the class with your help. If not, you could
share the strategy yourself. The explanation of a strategy should include anything that will help
students see the pattern and logic of the strategy, be that concrete materials, visuals, and/or contexts.
The introduction should also include explicit modeling of the mental processes used to carry out the
strategy, and explicit discussion of the situations for which the strategy is most appropriate and
efficient. The logic of the strategy should be well understood before it is reinforced. (Often it would
also be appropriate to show when the strategy would not be appropriate as well as when it would be
appropriate.)

Reinforcement
Each strategy for building mental computational skills should be practised in isolation until students
can give correct solutions in a reasonable time frame. Students must understand the logic of the
strategy, recognize when it is appropriate, and explain the strategy. The amount of time spent on each
strategy should be determined by the students abilities and previous experiences.
The reinforcement activities for a strategy should be varied in type and should focus as much on the
discussion of how students obtained their answers as on the answers themselves. The reinforcement
activities should be structured to insure maximum participation. Time frames should be generous at
first and be narrowed as students internalize the strategy. Student participation should be monitored
and their progress assessed in a variety of ways to help determine how long should be spent on a
strategy.
After you are confident that most of the students have internalized the strategy, you need to help
them integrate it with other strategies they have developed. You can do this by providing activities
that includes a mix of number expressions, for which this strategy and others would apply. You
should have the students complete the activities and discuss the strategy/strategies that could be used;
or you should have students match the number expressions included in the activity to a list of
strategies, and discuss the attributes of the number expressions that prompted them to make the
matches.

Assessment
Your assessments of mental math and estimation strategies should take a variety of forms. In addition
to the traditional quizzes that involve students recording answers to questions that you give one-at-atime in a certain time frame, you should also record any observations you make during the
reinforcements, ask the students for oral responses and explanations, and have them explain strategies
in writing. Individual interviews can provide you with many insights into a students thinking,
especially in situations where pencil-and-paper responses are weak.
2

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Assessments, regardless of their form, should shed light on students abilities to compute efficiently
and accurately, to select appropriate strategies, and to explain their thinking.

Response Time
Response time is an effective way for teachers to see if students can use the mental math and
estimation strategies efficiently and to determine if students have automaticity of their facts.
For the facts, your goal is to get a response in 3-seconds or less. You would give students more time
than this in the initial strategy reinforcement activities, and reduce the time as the students become
more proficient applying the strategy until the 3-second goal is reached. In subsequent grades when
the facts are extended to 10s, 100s and 1000s, a 3-second response should also be the expectation.
In early grades, the 3-second response goal is a guideline for the teacher and does not need to be
shared with the students if it will cause undue anxiety.
With other mental computational strategies, you should allow 5 to 10 seconds, depending upon the
complexity of the mental activity required. Again, in the initial application of the strategies, you
would allow as much time as needed to insure success, and gradually decrease the wait time until
students attain solutions in a reasonable time frame.

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Mental Math: Grade 9 Yearly Plan

In this yearly plan for mental math in grade 9, an attempt has been made to align specific activities with the
related chapter in the new grade 9 text, Mathematics 9: Focus on Understanding. In some areas, the mental math
content is too broad to be covered in the time frame allotted for a single chapter. While it is desirable to match
this content to the unit being taught, it is quite acceptable to complete some mental math topics when doing
subsequent chapters that do not have obvious mental math connections. In the grade 9 mathematics program,
students need to make decisions on whether an exact answer or approximate answer is required. When an exact
answer is required, they need to decide whether to use mental math, pencil and paper computation, or a
calculator. Keeping this in mind it is appropriate to allow practice in mental math to happen at the start or
within a lesson.
The following are strategies from previous grades that students should be familiar with and can be briefly
reviewed at the start of the year and reinforced through the development of appropriate questions and practice
throughout the year.

Mental Math (M) (Grade 7B2)

Frontend (addition & multiplication)

Compatible numbers
Compatible factors
Halve / Double
Compensate, break up and bridge (Grade 4)

Estimation (E) (Grade 7 B1)

Rounding
Frontend
Special numbers
Clustering of near compatibles
Compatibles
Using referents

Properties to be reviewed and used throughout the year, where appropriate

Distributive
Associative
Commutative
Identity

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Number
Sense

Compare Real Numbers:

Begin with reviewing prior
knowledge of integers,
fractions, decimals, and
approximating square roots.
Fractions: discussions
could include common
denominators, common
numerators, benchmarks,
one-away from making a
whole,
Decimals: comparing
common place values,
finding a value in-between
two other values.
Approximating and
calculating square roots

Fractions:
Place the appropriate symbol (>, <, or = ) between the
two fractions.

5 3
,
7 7
5 5
b)
,
6 8
3 5
,
c)
7 8
9 5
d)
,
10 8
a)

Decimals:
Place the appropriate symbol (>, <, or = ) between the
two decimals.
a) 0.2, 0.20
b) 0.123, 0.1234
c) 2.002, 2 .020
d) 2.5, 2.49
e) 1.3, 1.5
Write a decimal number between each pair:
a) 2.3, 2.31
b) 0.54, 0.541
Calculate the square root of the following numbers:
a) 36
b) 144
c) 400
d) 4900
e)

9
100

f)

0.25

Approximate the square root of the following

numbers:
a) 29
b) 99
c) 63
d) 150
Compare Real Numbers:

Identify the larger value:

1
, 0.4
3
49 , -7
d)
a)

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

1.21 , 0.1
70 , 8.8

e)

f)
g) 0.40404, 0.404004
Order Real Numbers:
Students will use their
comparing strategies to order a
group of real numbers.

Order from least to greatest:

a)

5 3
,1 ,
6 4

b) 0.25,
c)
Operations with Rationals:
Review operations with
rational numbers using
strategies such as:
Front End Addition
(Mental Math in the Junior
High, page 41)
Compatible
Addends(Mental Math in
the Junior High, pages 5156, 65, 99-102)
Front End Multiplication
( Mental Math in the Junior
High, page 73)
Compatible Factors
(Mental Math in the Junior
High page 123)
Making Compatible
Numbers (Mental Math in
the Junior High page 125)
Halve/ Double(Mental
Math in the Junior High
pages 117-120)
Compensate: 140 69
can be thought of as 140
70 then compensate by
adding 1.

2
0.25 ,

10
, 3.04
3

1
4

Use the properties of numbers (Associative,

Commutative, and Distributive) to calculate mentally:
a) 2 24 50
b) 2 3.4 5
c) 4

3
2.5
10

d) 50 14
e) 2.5 16
f)

3
12
4

d) 0.3333 21 5
e) 0.25 25 16
f) 299 15
Use your compensation strategies for mentally
calculating the following:
a) 167 38
b) 3

1
7
2
2
8

c) 6.7 7.8

12.5 4.7 can be thought of

as 12.5 4.5 then compensate
by subtracting 0.2.

Review the four

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

operations on integers.
Students should be able to
mentally perform the sum,
difference, product, or
quotient of two friendly
integers using strategies
from prior grades.
Include discussion of the
zero principle as well.
Mentally calculate the squares
of numbers

Mentally calculate the following:

2
a) 20
2
b) 1.2
c) (

3 2
)
4
2

d) 99
2
e) 5.5
f)
Laws of exponents:
Mentally calculate problems
using the laws of exponents:
Students should be able to
simplify appropriate
expressions using their
laws of exponents.
Including problems with
friendly or reasonable
coefficients that will also
allow the use of other
strategies.

2
( 4.3 )

Express each in standard form:

a)

72
74
2

4 0

b) (5 3 )
-2
4
c) 8 8

24
82
1 -3 2
e) ( ) 9
3

d)

Simplify:
3
5
a) (2x )(-3x )
b) (

1 2 4
x) (4x )
2
-4

c) (0.2x) (40x )

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Patterns
and
Relations

Skill

Example

Scientific Notation:
Estimate: Students should be
able to use estimation
strategies with scientific
notation.

Estimate the answer for each of the following:

5
5
a) 1.78 10 + 5.34 10
-3
-3
b) 7.01 10 + 3.97 10
2
4
c) (2.46 10 )( 3.2 10 )
6
2
d) 9.86 10 2.21 10

Students should first be able to

identify the conditions
necessary for easy mental
calculations. They can then
proceed to mentally calculate
the answers. The starred
questions are examples of
those that can be done
mentally.

Determine which of the following can be found

mentally and calculate:
4
7
a) 2.5 10 + 3.5 10
5
5
b) * 3.4 10 + 4.8 10
-4
4
c) 1.8 10 + 1.8 10
-5
-5
d) *5.79 10 - 4.01 10
-9
-5
e) 6.3 10 6.2 10
3
3
f) *4.4 10 - 6.4 10
-3
-5
g) *5.5 10 ( 2 10
6
6
h) (3.48 10 ) 2.7 10
6
-5
i) *4.5 10 1.5 10
4
-2
j) 3.67 10 2.81 10

Evaluate a single variable

expression (start with whole
numbers, then fractions and
decimals). Progression of the
types of expressions is also
important (e.g.2x + 4, 4 + 2x,
2x 4, -2x + 4, 4 2x)

Evaluate the following expressions for the given value :

(Do each evaluation separately)
a) 3x + 1

x = 2;

x = -6;

4
3

x = 0.3

x = -0.5

b) 5 + 4x

x = 10;

x = -4;

x = 0.75;

x = 1.25

x = 0;

x = -2;

x = 1.5;

x = -2.5

x=-

x= 3 ;
2
c) 6x 8
x=- 1 ;
12
d)

1
x + 10 x = 6;
2

1
3

x= ;

x=-1
4

x= 1 ;
3

x = - 8;

x= 4
7

x = 4 2 ; x = - 12.6
3
e) 4 - x

x = 3;

x = -2;

x= 1
3

x = 0.3 ;
x
f) 2 + 3
g) (4x ) 3
x= 3 ;

x = 0.5
x = 0;
x = 6;
x = 1.5

x = 3;
x = 33,

x=-2
x = - 15

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Determine from a table of

values if the slope of the graph
will be negative or positive.

x
-3
-2
-1
0
1

Determine from a table of

values if the graph of the
relationship will be linear or
non-linear.

y
0.125
0.25
0.5
1
2

x
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2

y
9
7
5
3
-1
-3

x
-8
-4
0
4
8

y
-11
-5
1
7
13

Mentally calculate the slope of

a line from a graph

Give a linear equation and ask

to calculate the slope

a) y = 2x + 4,
b) 2y = 4x + 10,
c) 5y = -15x,
d)

1
y = 4x + 3
2

Give a linear equation and ask

to calculate the y-intercept

a) y= 2x +4,
b) 2y = x -10,

Give a linear equation and ask

to graph the equation of the
line:

c)

1
y=x+1
3

Hand out a photocopied

coordinate system and a
transparency sheet. The
transparency should have a
diagonal line drawn from
corner to corner. The students
are shown an equation on the
board and then are asked to

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

place the line on the

coordinate system to graph the
equation. Teachers can easily
look at the graph on the
students desks to see if the
graphing was completed
correctly.
Show graphs of various
friendly lines including
horizontal and vertical lines
and ask for the equation of the
line

10

Determine the equations of these lines mentally.

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Equations
and
Inequations

Give an algebraic expression

and ask students to model
using Alge-Tiles.

Model the following expressions with Alge-Tiles :

a) 4x + 3x 2
b) 2(2y -3x 1)
Variations of the above:
2
1. Model the expression 4x + 3x 2 using the
minimum amount of tiles possible.
2
2. Model the expression 4x + 3x 2 using more
than 9(numbers could vary to meet your needs)
tile pieces.

Give a model and ask for the

expression( The overhead or
magnetic white board works
well)

State in simplest form the expressions illustrated

below:
a)

b)

c)

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

11

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Make decisions on what single

variable equations and
inequations could be solved
mentally

Determine which of these equations could be solved

mentally :
a) 2x + 1 = 9
b) 3x + 13 = 1.8x
c)

x
= 3
4

d) 2(x + 6) = 5(2x 1)
e) 5(x 4) = -10
f) 3x 1 = - 7
g)

2
4
x + 6 = x 2
3
5

h) 4x + 5 = 3x + 10
i) x + 1 = 101
j)

11=

1
x -1
3

k) 4.6x + 3.4x = -24

3
1
x 16 = x
4
4
7
1
x + 2x + x = 32
m) 1
8
8
l)

n) 3x + 2.3 = x 5.7
o) 5x 2.25

3
> 4x 1
4

p) 2x + 10.7 < 5x + 4.23

Probability

12

Solve appropriate single

variable equations and
inequations by inspection.

Use the equations and inequations in a, c, e, f, h, i, j ,

k , l, m ,n , and o as examples of ones that can be
solved mentally.

Create equations that reinforce

the strategies identified in
chapter 1. Again use the real
number progression from
whole numbers to fractions to
decimals and then give a
mixture.

Work through these with students.

Benchmarks:
Students have had a lot of
exposure to benchmarks. They
have had to determine which
benchmark a number is closer
to, if it is greater than that
benchmark, or if it is less than
that benchmark.

Many of the equations above use the make one

strategy developed in early grades. Discuss the many
ways make one can be disguised in an equation.

Determine which benchmark (0,

1
, 1) the following
2

numbers are closer to.

a)

2 11 36 27 1
,
,
,
,
7 36 40 52 15

b) 0.9, 0.09, 0.125, 0.65, 0.659

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

For probability, the most

common benchmarks are 0,

Complete the fraction so that it is close to

1
, and 1.
2

larger:

1
but a bit
2

x
33
42
b)
x
x
c)
98
60
d)
x
a)

Estimate probabilities

There are 3600 fish in the pond and 889 are speckled
trout. Estimate the probability that you will catch a
trout when you go fishing. (Students should see that
889 is close to 900 and so the probability is about

1
or 0.25 or 25%)
4
Compare and order numbers

Can reinforce work found in the Compare and Order

Real Numbers sections in chapter 1

Translating between the

various forms of fractions,
decimals, and percents

When given the following fraction, decimal or percent,

supply the other two equivalent forms.

Progression of this may be:

familiar fractions to
decimal form and/or
percent form( eg:

1
,
2

1 1 1
, ,
) Familiar
4 5 10

1
4
2
b)
3
3
c)
8
a)

fractions may vary

according to the
experience of the
students.
less familiar
fractions/decimals to
percent form( 1/3,
2/3, 1/8, 1/6, 5/9)
fraction/decimal
percents to decimal
form.

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)

0.75
0.125
32%
9%

7
100
12
20

(take the opportunity to discuss strategies for these

12
may be translated easily by
20
60 6 3
,
, )
expressing it in equivalent forms such as
100 10 5

translations; i.e.

13

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Review multiplying fractions

and decimals, by whole
numbers as well as fractions by
fractions symbolically.

Perform the indicated operations mentally:

The following are concepts

students should recognize to
shorten their computation
time:
Discussion of multiplying
reciprocals
Dividing out ones
Example: In question c)
students should notice
that the denominator 3
and the numerator 6 have
a common factor of 3.
This common factor
should be divided out.
Whole number by a
fraction, where the
demoninator is a factor of
the whole number.
Review calculating percents of
a whole number using various
strategies.

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

3
12
4
2
-10
5
2 6

3 7
3 4

5 5
4 9

9 4

f) 0.25 16
g) 20 0.3

Mentally calculate each:

1
of 44)
4
1
1
b) 33 % of 93 (think of 93)
3
3
1
c) 50 % of 248 (think of 248 or halve/double
2
a) 25 % 44 (think

strategy)
d) 75% of 16 (think

3
of 16)
4

e) 12 % of 300 (think 10% 300 + 2% 300) or

(1% 300) 12
f) 54 % of 600 (think

1
600 + 4% 600)
2

1
% of 84 (think halve/double)
2
1
% of 200 (think halve/double twice)
h)
4
g)

i) 9% of 500 (think 10% 500 1% of 500)

14

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill
Review multiplying fractions,
decimals, and/or percents in
context
Finding approx. percents in
context.

Example
3
, (75%), or 0.75 of a class of 28 students are girls.
4
How many are girls?
20% of the grade nine students at your school like rap
music. If 30 students like rap music, how many
students are in your school?
17 out of 24 students in your class have brown hair.
Approximately, what percent of the students in your
class have brown hair?

Measurement

Conversions can become

memorizations of meaningless
information for the students if
they do not have practice in
estimation of the measurements.
Give students opportunities to
practice their estimation skills.
Example: Have the students
work in partners, one with the
metre stick and the other to do
the estimating. Have the
student put their hands together
in a prayer-like fashion and
they will pull them apart
according to the length given by
the teacher. The student with
the metre stick will measure the
distance between the hands and
record the amount the estimate
was over or under the required
distance.
Variation: Have the students
draw lines on their paper that
are approximately the distance
given by the teacher. They will
then measure the distance and
record the number of units over
estimated or under estimated.
This activity can be adapted to
area, volume, and capacity by
using familiar benchmarks of
textbook covers, bottles of
water, etc.
Simple SI conversions (length,
area, volume, volume to
capacity)

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

Show the approximate length of

a) 15 cm
b) 70 mm
c) 100 mm
d) 100cm
e) 50 cm
f) 50mm
Convert each of the following:
g) 120 cm = _____________m
h) 1.2 km = ______________m
i) 0.3km = ______________cm
j) 2 m = ________________cm
k) 500 mm = ____________ cm
l) 3.5 km = ______________ m
3
3
m) 2 m = ________________cm
3
3
n) 5 000 mm = ____________ cm
3
o) 500 cm = ______________ L
3
p) 300 L = _______________ m

15

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Review square numbers and

square roots.

Can reinforce work found in chapter one.

Have students estimate the

solution to problems involving
volume and surface area using
appropriate estimation
strategies. Suitable diagrams for
estimation of surface area are
rectangular and triangular
prisms, square and triangle
based pyramids, cones, and
spheres. For estimating volume,
suitable diagrams may include
rectangular and triangular
prisms, square and triangle
based pyramids, cylinders, and
cones.

1. Estimate the surface area of each figure:

a) square based pyramid

b) tetrahedron (4 equal triangles)

c) sphere with a radius of 0.49 cm

2. Estimate the Volume of these figures

a) cone

16

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example
b) cylinder

c) prism

Make decisions on what

problems about volume and
surface area can be solved
mentally. Recognize those that
can use previously learned
strategies (front-end,
compatible factors,
halve/double etc)
Solve volume and surface area
problems for prisms, pyramids,
cylinders and cones mentally
when appropriate.
Suitable diagrams are
rectangular and triangular
prisms, and pyramids.

1. a) Find the volume of a square based pyramid with

base of 11m and height of 6 m

b) Find the Surface Area of this cube

c) Find the Volume of

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MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example
d) Find the Surface Area of a square based pyramid
with a base of 10 cm and a slant height of 5 cm

Have students create problems

that can be estimated and/or
solved mentally. These can
then be presented to the class
followed by a discussion of
the use of efficient strategies.

Geometry

You may wish to continue

working on mental math
topics from previous chapters.

Reinforce equivalent fractions.

b) Determine equivalent
fractions. Students are given a
fraction that is not expressed
in simplest form and asked to
identify equivalent fractions
from a list.

a) State three fractions equivalent to each of the

following:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

2
3
3
5
7
8
11
12
13
15

b) In the list identify equivalent fractions for each

given fraction (or you can also ask to identify ones that
are not equivalent) and discuss why.

9 3 8 15 2
( , ,
, )
12 4 9 20 3
10 15 24 6 1
(
,
, , )
ii)
15 20 36 9 5
i)

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MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Determine the missing value

in a proportion. Use friendly
numbers, whole at first, so the
students can easily work
between or within the ratios.

Calculate the missing value :

This provides an opportunity

for the students to focus on
the multiplicative relationship
of the ratios in the proportion.
Progress then to other rational
numbers.

Students will be able to

determine and use mapping
rules. Given two of the three
pieces of data(pre-image
coordinates, image
coordinates, and mapping
rule) determine the third.

x
8
=
6 12
10
6
=
x 18
0.5 2
=
2
x
2
x
=
6 27
4.5 1
=
4
x
x 9
=
4 x
Complete the table : (present each row of the table as
an individual problem)
PreMapping rule
Image
image
(-4,7) (x,y) (x+3,y-8)
(-3,2)
(-3,-2)
(x,y) (2x, 2y)
6 10
( ,
)
(x,y) (x- 1,y+6)

8 12

(3,4)

Polynomials

Use Alge-Tiles to model or

represent expressions and have
the students simplify these
expressions. Overhead or
magnetic tiles work well for
this.
Show several different
arrangements of Alge-tiles (A,
B, E)
a) Ask students to simplify and
record the simplified
expressions.

(5,0)
(-4,-3)

This is reinforcing the work done in chapter 3.

a)
b)

b) Have them determine the

resultant expression for such
things as A + B, A B, 2C.

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MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

c) Give students a resultant

expression and an operation,
and ask students which
expression(s) underwent the
operation to produce the
resultant.

c)

Progression for this may begin

with monomials, to binomials
to trinomials and then to a
mixture of polynomials. The
progression depends on the
experience of the students.

a) answers :
A. 2x + 3x 2
B. -x + 3x + 1
C. -3x - x 7
b) Simplify
A+C
BC
2A
c) Which two expressions will give the sum of
4x + 2x 6 ?
The product of 2 and what expression will yield
2x + 6x + 2 ?

Review laws of exponents

See Chapter 1 for examples

Identify the GCF of a

binomial mentally. The
progression may be from a
numerical factor, to a variable
and then both as GCFs.

Identify the GCF of each pair:

a) 24, 36
b) 44, -88
c) -56, -63
d) x, 2x
2
2
e) 3x , x
2
f) -4x , 6x
3
2
g) 45y , 36y
Identify the GCF in each expression:
6x + 9
-4y 10
12k 30
3x + 4x
4
13y - 4y
6
xy - 7y
3
10x + 15x
6
3
2m - 4m

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MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Students will be able to

multiply a monomial by
polynomials using friendly
numbers with previously
learned strategies.

Determine the product of each:

5
(3x) (4x )
3
-1
(4x) (13x ) (25x )
(

1 3
-2
x ) (12x )
4
9

(0.5x ) (86x )
(22x) (15x)
6
-2
(4x ) (99x )
-5
-7
(25y )(36y )think 25(4 9) = (25 4) 9
Have students solve problems
such as find two numbers
that multiply to give _____
and add to give _____ and
visa versa

Find two numbers that multiply to give you

________and add to give you ________

Multiply two binomials, and

factor expressions into two
binomials using friendly
numbers.

Determine the product of each:

(x + 3) (x + 8)
(y 4) (y + 5)
(z 12) (z 3)
(b + 7) (b 7)
Factor each expression into two binomials
x + 4x + 3
x + 7x 18
y - 10y + 24
x + x + 0.25
x - 36
x - 1.44

Multiply to give
6
-20
30

Add to give
5
8
-11

9
x+2
2
37
x+4
x +
3
x +

Make decisions on which

polynomials can be factored
into two binomials.

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

Determine which expressions can be factored and

discuss why.
2
a) x +16
2
b) x -16
2
c) x +7x+10
2
d) x -9x+18
2
e) x +4x-5
2
f) x +8x-7
2
g) x +x

21

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Divide a polynomial by a
monomial.

Simplify

36 x 6
4x4
2.4 x3
b)
1.2 x 2
12 x 2 + 4 x + 20
a)

c)

4
6

d)

15 x
0.5 x

Have students create

expressions that can be added,
subtracted, multiplied or
divided mentally.
Data
Management

22

Create sets of data and have

students mentally calculate the
mean using prior strategies.

Calculate the mean of each.

28 + 36 + 22 + 34 (compatibles)
75 + 29 + 46 + 54(break up and bridge)
4.6 + 3.5 + 8.4 + 1.5 + 2 (make one)
410 + 120 + 330 + 140 (front end addition or break
up and bridge)

Review work on slope. This

can be extended to students
calculating and describing the
meaning of the slope and yintercept in context when
presented with labeled graphs.

Reinforcement of work done in chapter two where

students determined the slope from a graph and from
an equation.

MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

Chapter

Skill

Example

Present scenarios and ask

students to determine if the
data would represent
continuous or discrete data.

Determine if the data collected would be an example

of continuous or discrete data:
a) Filling up the gas tank of a car. Cost vs number of
litres bought
b) buying a quantity of newspapers. Cost vs number
of papers purchased.

Review work on evaluating

expressions

Reinforcement of work done in chapter two where

students evaluated various expressions using whole
numbers, fractions, and decimals.

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MENTAL COMPUTATION GRADE 9 DRAFT SEPTEMBER 2006

MENTAL MATH

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25