How to Use Rose Water on Your Face

Rosewater is anti-inflammatory, as well as antibacterial, making it a great addition to your skincare routine. Typically, you'll find rosewater in sprays, though you can also find small bottles without spray nozzles if that's your preference.^[1] Try using rosewater in the morning after washing your face to awaken your skin, or spritz or dab it on during the day to refresh your skin and calm irritation.^[2]

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Adding Rosewater to Your Morning Routine

1. Clean your face with a gentle cleanser. You don't want to strip your skin of its natural oils, so use a moisturizing cleanser that's forgiving on your skin. Wet your face with warm water, then apply your cleanser with soft circular motions using your clean fingertips. Rinse the cleanser off thoroughly.^[3]
   
   • You may not even need to wash your face in the morning if you cleansed it thoroughly the night before.^[4]
2. Hold the spray about from your face. You don't want to be too close, as that won't give you an even covering. Instead, hold the spray out from your face a little bit so that you can easily spritz all of your skin with a few sprays.
   
3. Mist your whole face with the spray. Close your eyes, and then press the nozzle on the spray a few times, moving it around your face as you do. Try to get your whole face evenly with the spray until it feels slightly damp with the rosewater.^[5]
   
   • Let the rosewater dry on your face and move on with your day! Add makeup after you use rosewater, not before.

[Edit]Using Rosewater throughout the Day

1. Spritz your face with rose water to refresh yourself later in the day. Anytime you're feeling hot or run-down, spray your face down again with rosewater. It will reawaken your skin and leave you feeling renewed, as well as adding a light, fresh scent to your face.^[6]
   
   • Keep a small, travel-sized bottle on you to use throughout the day.
2. Apply rosewater when your skin is red or inflamed. Rosewater is great for irritation because it is anti-inflammatory. It helps with both acne and rosacea. If your skin is looking irritated, try using your spray more often to help calm down that irritation.^[7]
   
   • If you prefer, you don't have to use a spray. Get a bottle of rosewater and dab a little on a cotton pad, then pat it all over your face.
3. Dab rosewater on at the end of the day to gently remove makeup. Apply a light misting over your face or dab rosewater on with a cotton pad. Let it sit for a minute or 2, then use a cotton pad with rosewater on it to wipe the makeup off. This process will leave your skin feeling clean while keeping it hydrated.^[8]
   
   • You can also look for facial wipes with rosewater in them.
4. Use rosewater as a toner after you wash your face.^[9] Even if you don't want to remove your makeup with rosewater, you can still use it as part of your routine at the end of the day. Wash your face with your normal cleanser, then dab your face with rosewater.^[10]
   
   • Rosewater will help remove the last of the oils and debris from your pores and calm your skin before bed.
5. Make a calming and hydrating facial mask with rosewater. Mix equal parts of chickpea flour, turmeric, and sandalwood powder in a bowl. Add just enough rosewater to the mixture to make a thick paste and apply it to your face. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse it off.^[11]
   
   • You can mix the turmeric, chickpea flour, and sandalwood up and put in a small jar. Take out just what you need for 1 mask at a time and mix it with the rosewater to create your mask.
   • Make this into an astringent by replacing half of the rosewater with apple cider vinegar.

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://intothegloss.com/2014/01/what-is-toner/
2. ↑ [v161090_b02]. 9 July 2019.
3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g28118423/best-rose-water-sprays/
4. ↑ https://hellogiggles.com/salma-hayek-doesnt-wash-her-face-in-the-morning-and-uses-rose-water-instead/
5. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g28118423/best-rose-water-sprays/
6. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g28118423/best-rose-water-sprays/
7. ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/face-mists-sprays_n_5b7dc2dbe4b0cd327df94a77
8. ↑ https://www.elle.com/beauty/a33931/rose-water-uses-and-benefits/
9. ↑ [v161090_b02]. 9 July 2019.
10. ↑ https://intothegloss.com/2014/01/what-is-toner/
11. ↑ https://www.elle.com/beauty/a33931/rose-water-uses-and-benefits/

How to Send a Good Morning Text

When you want to make someone feel really special right when they wake up, a morning text puts a smile on their face before they even get out of bed.^[1] If you’re having trouble thinking of something creative to say, we’ve got your back! Keep reading for a ton of different example messages you can try out whether you’re texting a new crush or someone you’ve been seeing for a while!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]“Good morning! 😊”

1. Start their day off right with a short and sweet message. If you want to keep it casual, you can’t go wrong with a quick text wishing them a good start to their day. Throw in an emoji or cute pet name to personalize your message a little bit more. They’ll be in a good mood after seeing your text right when they wake up.^[2] Some things you could try saying are:^[3]
   
   • “Morning! I hope you slept well!”
   • “Good morning, cutie pie 😘 How’d you sleep?”

[Edit]“Time to get up, sleepyhead!”

1. Tease them a little bit if they’re not a morning person. If you’re awake before the person you’re messaging, joke around to make them laugh when they wake up. Keep it light and try not to be too sarcastic or mean since your conversation partner might misread the tone of your message. Some quirky texts you could send include:
   
   • “BEEP BEEP! This is your alarm telling you to wake up 😉”
   • “Morning! It’s time to get out of bed and smell the coffee!”

[Edit]“Let’s get this bread!”

1. Share some words of encouragement to motivate their morning. When the person has a stressful day coming up, cheer them on and put them in a positive mindset. If you know they’re worried about something specific coming up during the day, tell them how well they’re going to do so they have that extra boost of confidence. Try saying something like:
   
   • “Good morning! Good luck with your work presentation! I know you’re going to crush it.”
   • “Morning! I know you’ve got a busy day, but you’ve got this! I believe in you 😊”

[Edit]“I hope you have an amazing day!”

1. Wish someone a positive time to help them get through the day. Saying “I hope” makes your message feel a little more personal and lets the other person know that you’re really supportive. Toss in an emoji or some extra exclamation points to make your message a little more uplifting. Some other texts you could try are:
   
   • “Good morning 🙂 Hope your morning goes by quickly!”
   • “Morning!! You’re going to rock it today!”

[Edit]“Woke up with you on my mind.”

1. Let the person know that you’re thinking of them as soon as you get up. Your crush or partner will love knowing that they’ve been running through your thoughts all morning. Remind them of how special they are with messages like:^[4]
   
   • “You were the last thing I thought about before I fell asleep and the first thing in my head this morning ❤️”
   • “Morning 😊 thinking of you today. Hope you have a great day!”

[Edit]“You shine brighter than the sun ☀️”

1. Flatter them with a quick compliment. You’re sure to put a smile on their face when you say something sweet right when they wake up. Get creative and go a little out of the box when you’re complimenting them so your message stands out. Some other cute morning compliments include:
   
   • “The only thing more beautiful than the sunrise is you 🥰”
   • “Good morning! Even though it’s a little gloomy, you brighten up my day!”

[Edit]“When do I get to see you today?”

1. Build up a little anticipation if you want to make plans later. If you want to get together, ask the other person right away if they’re free. You can always figure out the details later, but let them know that you’re really interested in seeing them. Mention how excited you are with texts like:^[5]
   
   • “Morning! I’m counting down the minutes until I can see your face! Can we get together this afternoon?”
   • “It’s a lot easier getting through the morning knowing I get to see you soon 😘”

[Edit]“I had such a great time with you last night.”

1. Let a date know that you’re still thinking about your time together. If you were with the other person the night before, say how much of an impact they left on you. You can mention something specific that you loved or just send a general message about how much you enjoyed your date. Tell them they’re on your mind with texts like:^[6]
   
   • “Good morning 😊 I haven’t been able to get you out of my head since last night.”
   • “Morning. 😘 I hope you had as much fun on our date as I did.”

[Edit]“I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”

1. Make them feel like the most special person in your life. The person you’re texting will love hearing how much they mean to you. Tell them what you appreciate about them or give a general compliment about how they make you feel like the luckiest person in the world. Other texts you can try sending include:
   
   • “Talking to you is the best part of every morning.”
   • “You mean the absolute world to me ❤️ I hope you have a great day!”

[Edit]“You’re the reason I get up every day.”

1. Show how serious your feelings are with a loving text. If the person means the world to you, confess your feelings so they know. They may even message you the same thing back after they wake up! Make their day with a message like:
   
   • “I can’t stop smiling this morning, and it’s all because of you. 😘”
   • “Nothing makes me more excited to wake up than seeing your face. Morning hon!”

[Edit]“I had a crazy dream about you!”

1. Get a little flirty by letting them know they’re always in your mind. They’ll really love knowing that they’re the one you think about even while you’re asleep. Keep the details of your dream a secret at first so the person is more likely to text you back asking for more. Some things you might say include:
   
   • “Are you still tired? Because you were running through my head all night.”
   • “You won’t believe what we did in my dreams last night. Maybe we can make them come true 😉”

[Edit]“I wish I could wake up next to you.”

1. Let them know that you’re missing them with a simple, sexy tease. If you aren’t able to cuddle up with the person you’re texting, tell them how much you want that physical connection. They’ll really love that you want to wake up together and spend your mornings with them. Try being a little playful with messages like:^[7]
   
   • “The only thing I’m missing this morning is you ❤️”
   • “Morning cutie! 😘 I wish I could give you a real kiss this morning, but this will have to do!”

[Edit]“Just wanted to pop in and say I love you!”

1. Make your S.O. smile with a quick reminder of how much they mean to you. If you’ve been with someone for a while, remind them of how you feel each morning so they feel really secure in the relationship. Even a short text can make them feel warm and bubbly inside. Some sweet messages you can send are:
   
   • “Every morning, I think about how blessed I am to have you. ❤️ I love you so much!”
   • “I’m so grateful to start each day talking to you 💖 have a great day, honey!”

[Edit]Tips

• Try sending a funny meme or GIF to put a smile on their face right when they wake up.

[Edit]References

1. ↑ [v161232_b01]. 22 September 2021.
2. ↑ [v161232_b01]. 22 September 2021.
3. ↑ https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/good-morning-texts-send-crush-102819
4. ↑ https://everydaypower.com/good-morning-texts-for-her/
5. ↑ https://pandagossips.com/posts/1923
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/CbtYE72yLVw?t=219
7. ↑ https://youtu.be/CbtYE72yLVw?t=164

How to Know when to Kiss on a Date

Use our guide to smooching someone for the first time and kiss your dating anxiety goodbye!

It’s the end of your first, second, or maybe third date with a new person who you really dig. All your laughter and joking around, your stolen glances over dinner or coffee, maybe even some tentative hand-holding—it’s all been leading up to this moment: the kiss! But how do you know when the time is right? Even if the date seemed to go well…how do you know for absolute certain that they want to lock lips? Don’t worry! That first kiss is exhilarating and anxiety-inducing for all of us, but if you want to feel more comfortable gauging your date’s interest and knowing when to lay one on ’em, check out our guide to kissing on a date, below!

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Kiss on whichever date you feel comfortable. Many people wait until the end of a first, second, or third date; this gives you time to get to know each other.
• Gauge your date’s interest before planting one to make sure they’re receptive to kissing. If you’re not positive they’re up for it, ask.
• Show them you’re interested by finding small ways to touch them, maintaining eye contact with them, and leaning towards them slowly.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Showing and Gauging Interest

1. Stare at the person's mouth to show your interest. While this might seem a little silly, spending some time looking at the person's mouth can indicate you want to kiss them. Of course, you don't want to look at their mouth only, as gazing into their eyes is also romantic. Nonetheless, occasionally glancing at your date's lips can help indicate you want to kiss someone.^[1]
   
   • Don't continuously stare at your date’s mouth. They might get weirded out. Short one to two second glances here and there should do the trick!
2. Find ways to subtly touch them. This touch isn't necessarily an intimate touch. Rather, touch their arm or their shoulder as you talk, or move closer to them so your legs are touching. These small touches show you want to get closer.^[2]
   
   • You don’t have to wait until the end of the date to start your little touches; you can build up to the kiss with little touches throughout your date. If you’re at dinner together, try putting your hand on their hand. If you’re at a movie, sit close so that your shoulders touch.
   • If they pull back, they may not be as interested. Some people don't like to be touched, so you may need to be patient.
3. Compliment the person. Tell the person you like the way they smile or that you find their humor charming. Everyone likes to hear nice things about themselves, and when you compliment someone, you show them you care.
   
   • Try to give sincere, direct compliments. In other words, really pay attention to the person and figure out what you like about them. That way, you can give a compliment that's specific to the person.^[3]
   • For instance, saying "You look pretty," is fairly general. Saying, "Your smile is so lovely. It lights up the room," is much more specific.
4. Observe their body language to see if they’re receptive. Your date’s body language will tell you a lot about whether they’re enjoying the date and whether they might like a smooch. Keep an eye out for open body language, and note if they return your flirty little touches. ^[4]
   
   • If your date is into you, they might play with their hair, hold your gaze, lean toward you, or even mimic your movements (subconsciously).
   • And, yes, they might look at your lips, just like you’re looking at theirs! We love the sexual tension!
5. Listen for verbal cues that they're interested. Just like you compliment your date to indicate your interest, if your date is interested in you, they'll likely flirt back in some way. They might compliment you, laugh at your jokes (and try to make you laugh), or indicate investment by asking you deeper questions to get to know you.
   
   • Realize that this may not mean your date wants to kiss. They may be having a nice time, and they may like you romantically, but they could still be uncomfortable kissing yet.
   • If your date asks you for a piece of gum, they may be trying to freshen up their breath before a potential smooch. (Make sure you freshen up, too!)

[Edit]Finding the Right Time and Place

1. Kiss on whichever date you feel comfortable. Some people choose to wait until their third date to kiss, while others are more comfortable kissing on the first date. There aren’t hard and fast rules about which date to kiss on, but generally, people kiss after they’ve spent some time together, gotten to know one another, and gotten a feel for whether the other person is up for a little smooching.^[5]
   
   • You don't even need to be on a date to kiss: you can smooch during a casual hangout or at work or school, if the moment is right. As long as you both want to kiss, it doesn’t matter when you do it.
   • You may feel comfortable kissing on a first date, but remember that your date may not be, so assume nothing, and don't feel bad if they're not up for it. They may feel more comfortable after you've gone out a few times!
2. Wait until the end of the date to initiate a kiss. The end of the first, second, or third date is often when that magical first kiss occurs. Usually, a kiss acts as a goodbye—and though it doesn’t always mean a follow-up date is on the horizon, it’s a good way to let your date know if you’d like to see them again.^[6]
   
   • Waiting to kiss until the end of a date gives you more time to gauge their feelings—if you try to kiss someone without spending enough time with them, they’ll be more likely to turn you down.
   • Another reason to wait till the end of the date: if it doesn’t go well, or if your date rejects your kiss, you get to leave right after!
3. Pick somewhere private, but not too private. Some people are shy about kissing in front of other people. Find a place that's a bit secluded, such as your or your date’s front porch, or under a streetlight outside the restaurant you just ate at. Just make sure your kissing site isn’t too secluded, or your date might get nervous if they don’t know you well!
   
   • If you can't find a secluded spot, dim lighting (like at a restaurant or movie theater) may afford you some privacy. Studies also indicate that being intimate in dim spaces can help you be more present with your partner and feel less self-conscious—which may be particularly helpful when kissing for the first time!^[7]
4. Initiate a kiss when your date lingers. If someone wants to kiss you but is too shy to ask about it or to instigate a smooch themselves, they'll likely spend some time hanging around at the end of the date. So if their body language hasn’t already convinced you they might be receptive to locking lips, if they don’t rush off at the end of the date, it’s a sign they’re probably waiting for a little kiss.
   
   • If they rush off, it doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t want to kiss; they might be nervous or not comfortable kissing on a first date.

[Edit]Initiating the Kiss

1. Look the person in the eye to show them you desire them. Now that you've found the perfect spot and time, take a moment just to look the person in the eye. Gazing into someone's eyes can be quite intimate, as most people don't spend more than a few seconds looking into someone else's eyes. Hold the person's gaze as you contemplate kissing them.^[8]
   
2. Slowly lean in closer. Leaning in indicates you want to get more intimate, and going slowly gives your date a heads-up that you’re going to kiss them. If they don't want to kiss, going slow gives them a chance to lean away or to turn your head so you kiss their cheek.^[9]
   
3. If you’re not sure, ask if they want to be kissed. Consent is important, and while body language can tell you a lot about someone’s intentions, it’s often unclear what a person wants unless you come out and ask. Asking if you can kiss someone doesn't need to break the moment. Rather, it shows you respect the person enough to ask.^[10]
   
   • If you’re worried that asking will spoil the “romance,” there are lots of cute and romantic ways to ask!
     • You could give them a handwritten note that says, “Can I kiss you?”
     • Make a silly joke by saying, “Welcome to Kissville, population: us!” so they know what your intentions are (and keeping it light may alleviate the pressure if they don’t feel up for it).
     • Or just be direct and say, “I really want to kiss you right now” or “Would you mind if I kissed you?” Telling your date what you want can be pretty darn hot, actually!
4. Move in for the kiss. Once you know they’re up for it, it’s time to plant a kiss. Bring your face in closer, but let the other person come part way. Even if they said yes, it's good to let them make part of the move, so you know for sure they want it. You'll both need to tilt a bit so you don't bump noses, then move on with the kissing part.
   
   • Keep your lips slightly parted and soft. If you're too rigid, it won't be a great kiss.
   • Most people don’t French kiss the first time they kiss, but if you want to initiate tongue, and you think your date is into it, slowly introduce your tongue to your partner’s lips. If their mouth opens to receive your tongue, it’s a sign they’re interested in Frenching, but if they keep their lips closed, it likely means they’re not up for it.^[11]
5. Go easy on yourself if they reject your kiss. There are lots of reasons a person might reject a kiss, and while it can hurt, it’s important to respect their choice. Don’t take rejection too hard. It happens to everyone at some point!^[12]
   
   • If your date rejects your kiss, it could mean they didn’t feel enough chemistry and aren’t interested in a romantic relationship with you. This always stings, but it’s good to know!
   • But it’s also possible your date likes you but they’re just not ready to kiss yet. If they seem to have had a good time, and if they express interest in going out again, it’s likely you’ll kiss them soon enough!

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ http://www.thedatereport.com/dating/be-better/2481-how-to-initiate-a-kiss/
2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-attraction-doctor/201603/4-ways-tell-whether-someone-is-you
3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-of-the-self/201401/praise-as-manipulation-6-reasons-to-question-compliments
4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-attraction-doctor/201603/4-ways-tell-whether-someone-is-you
5. ↑ https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/first-date-kiss-hug-text-tips-advice-b2238102.html
6. ↑ https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/first-date-kiss-hug-text-tips-advice-b2238102.html
7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-name-love/201901/do-you-make-love-your-eyes-closed
8. ↑ https://pairedlife.com/physical-intimacy/PandasKissingHub
9. ↑ http://www.thedatereport.com/dating/be-better/2481-how-to-initiate-a-kiss/
10. ↑ https://www.antiviolenceproject.org/2015/01/creative-ways-to-ask-to-kiss-or-be-kissed-by-someone/
11. ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-french-kiss
12. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fixing-families/202203/how-handle-rejection

How to Improve Mental Math Skills

Eventually, you'll find yourself in a situation where you'll have to solve a math problem without a calculator. Trying to imagine a pen and paper in your head often doesn't help much. Fortunately there are faster and easier ways to do calculations in your head—and they often break down a problem in a way that makes more sense than what you learned in school. Whether you're a stressed-out student or a math wizard looking for even faster tricks, there's something for everyone to learn.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Break addition and subtraction problems into parts.

1. Add the hundreds, tens, and ones places separately. Treat each group as a separate problem:
   
   • 712 + 281 → "700 + 200," "10 + 80," and "2 + 1"
   • 700 + 200 = 900, then 10 + 80 = 90, then 2 + 1 = 3
   • 900 + 90 + 3 = 993.
   • Thinking in "hundreds" or "tens" instead of single digits will make it easier to keep track when digits sum to more than ten. For example, for 37 + 45, think "30 + 40 = 70" and "7 + 5 = 12". Then add 70 + 12 to get 82.

[Edit]Change the problem to make round numbers.

1. Adjust to get round numbers, then correct after the problem is done. Round numbers are much faster for most of us to work with. Keep a mental note of the changes you made so you can adjust to get the exact answer at the end.^[1] For example:
   
   • ': For 596 + 380, realize that you can add 4 to 596 to round it to 600, then add 600 + 380 to get 980. Undo the rounding by subtracting 4 from 980 to get 976.
   • ': For 815 - 521, break it up into 800 - 500, 10 - 20, and 5 - 1. To turn the awkward "10 - 20" into "20 - 20", add 10 to 815 to get 825. Now solve to get 304, then undo the rounding by subtracting 10 to get 294.
   • ': For 38 x 3, you can add 2 to 38 to make the problem 40 x 3, which is 120. Since the 2 you added got multiplied by three, you need to undo the rounding by subtracting 2 x 3 = 6 at the end to get 120 - 6 = 114.

[Edit]Learn to add many numbers at once.

1. Reorder the numbers to make convenient sums. An addition problem is the same no matter what order you solve it in. Look for numbers that add up to 10 or other nice, round numbers:
   
   • For example, 7 + 4 + 9 + 13 + 6 + 51 can be reorganized to (7 + 13) + (9 + 51) + (6 + 4) = 20 + 60 + 10 = 90.

[Edit]Multiply from left to right.

1. Keep track of the hundreds, tens, and ones places. On paper, most people multiply the ones place first, going from right to left. But in your head, it's easier to go the other way:
   
   • For 453 x 4, start with 400 x 4 = 1600, then 50 x 4 = 200, then 3 x 4 = 12. Add them all together to get 1812.
   • If both numbers have more than one digit, you can break it into parts. Each digit has to multiply with each other digit, so it can be tough to keep track of it all. 34 x 12 = + , which you can break down further into + = 300 + 40 + 60 + 8 = 408.

[Edit]Try a fast multiplication trick best for numbers 11 through 19.

1. Try this method of turning one hard problem into two easier ones. This is another way of breaking a problem into parts. It can be a little tricky to remember at first, but once you have it down it can make multiplication much faster. This is easiest when multiplying two numbers that are both in the range of 11 to 19, but you can learn to use it for other problems:^[2]
   
   • Let's look at numbers close to 10, like 13 x 15. Subtract 10 from the second number, then add your answer to the first: 15 - 10 = 5, and 13 + 5 = 18.
   • Multiply your answer by ten: 18 x 10 = 180.
   • Next, subtract ten from both sides and multiply the results: 3 x 5 = 15.
   • Add your two answers together to get the final answer: 180 + 15 = 195.
   • Careful with smaller numbers! For 13 x 8, you start with "8 - 10 = -2", then "13 + -2 = 11". If it's hard to work with negative numbers in your head, try a different method for problems like this.
   • For larger numbers, it will be easier to use a "base number" like 20 or 30 instead of 10. If you try this, make sure you use that number everywhere that 10 is used above.^[3] For example, for 21 x 24, you start by adding 21 + 4 to get 25. Now multiply 25 by 20 (instead of ten) to get 500, and add 1 x 4 = 4 to get 504.

[Edit]Simplify problems with numbers ending in zero.

1. If the numbers end in zeroes, you can ignore them until the end:
   

   • If all numbers have zeroes at the end, you can ignore the zeroes they have in common and restore them at the end. 85 + 12 → 85 + 12 = 97, then restore the shared zero: 97.

   • works the same way: 10 - 7 → 10 - 7 = 3, then restore the two shared zeroes to get 3. Notice that you can only remove the two zeroes the numbers have in common, and must keep the third zero in 1000.

     ignore all the zeroes, then restore each one individually. 3 x 5 → 3 x 5 = 15, then restore all four zeroes to get 15,.

     you can remove all shared zeroes and the answer will be the same. 60, ÷ 12, = 60 ÷ 12 = 5. Don't add any zeroes back on.

[Edit]Easily multiply by 4, 5, 8, or 16.

1. You can convert these problems so they only use 2s and 10s. Here's how:
   
   • To multiply by 5, instead multiply by 10, then divide by 2.
   • To multiply by 4, instead double the number, then double it again.
   • For 8, 16, 32, or even higher powers of two, just keep doubling. For example, 13 x 8 = 13 x 2 x 2 x 2, so double 13 three times: 13 → 26 → 52 → 104.

[Edit]Memorize the 11s trick.

1. You can multiply a two-digit number by 11 with barely any math. Add the two digits together, then put the result in between the original digits:^[4]
   
   • What is x 11?
   • Add the two digits together: + = 9.
   • Put the answer in between the original digits: x 11 = 9.
   • If the sum is more than 10, place only the final digit and carry the one: x 11 = 2, because 5 + 7 = 12. The 2 goes in the middle and the 1 gets added to the 5 to make 6.

[Edit]Turn percentages into easier problems.

1. Know which percentages are easier to calculate in your head. There are a couple useful tricks to know:^[5]
   
   • 79% of 10 is the same as 10% of 79. This is true of any two numbers. If you can't find the answer to a percentage problem, try switching it around.
   • To find 10% of a number, move the decimal one place to the left (10% of 65 is 6.5). To find 1% of a number, move the decimal two places to the left (1% of 65 is 0.65).
   • Use these rules for 10% and 1% to help you with more difficult percentages. For example, 5% is ½ of 10%, so 5% of 80 = (10% of 80) x ½ = 8 x ½ = 4.
   • Break percentages into easier parts: 30% of 900 = (10% of 900) x 3 = 90 x 3 = 270.

[Edit]Memorize advanced multiplication shortcuts for specific problems.

1. These tricks are powerful, but narrow. They can turn a seemingly impossible mental math task into a quick task, but will only work on a very small percentage of problems. Learn these if you are already pretty good at mental math and want to approach "mathemagician" levels of speed:
   
   • For problems like 84 x 86, where the tens place is the same and the ones place digits sum to exactly 10, the first digits of the answer are (8 + 1) x 8 = 72 and the last digits are 4 x 6 = 24, for an answer of 7224. That is, for a problem AB x AC, if B + C = 10, the answer starts with A(A+1) and ends with BC. This also works for larger numbers if all digits besides the ones place are identical.^[6]
   • You can rewrite the powers of five (5, 25, 125, 625, ...) as powers of 10 divided by an integer (10 / 2, 100 / 4, 1000 / 8, 10000 / 16, ...).^[7] So 88 x 125 becomes 88 x 1000 ÷ 8 = 88000 ÷ 8 = 11000.

[Edit]Memorize squares charts.

1. Squares charts give you a new way to multiply. Memorizing your multiplication tables from 1 to 9 makes single-digit multiplication automatic. But for larger numbers, instead of trying to memorize hundreds of answers, it's more efficient to memorize just the squares instead (each number times itself). With a little extra work, you can use these squares to find the answer to other problems:^[8]
   
   • Memorize the squares from 1 to 20 (or higher, if you're ambitious). (That is, 1 x 1 = 1; 2 x 2 = 4; 3 x 3 = 9, and so on.)
   • To multiply two numbers, first find their average (the number exactly between them). For example, the average of 18 and 14 is 16.
   • Square this answer. Once you've memorized the squares chart, you'll know that 16 x 16 is 256.
   • Next, look at the difference between the original numbers and their average: 18 - 16 = 2. (Always use a positive number here.)
   • Square this number as well: 2 x 2 = 4.
   • To get your final answer, take the first square and subtract the second: 256 - 4 = 252.

[Edit]Find useful ways to practice your mental math.

1. Daily practice will make a huge difference.^[9] If you want to increase your confidence and speed at mental math, make an effort to use those skills at least two or three times a day. These suggestions can help you make this practice more effective:
   
   • Flashcards are great for memorizing multiplication and division tables, or for getting used to tricks for specific kinds of problems. Write the problem on one side and the answer on the other, and quiz yourself daily until you get them all right.
   • Online math quizzes are another way to test your ability. Look for a well-reviewed app or website made by an educational program.
   • Practice in everyday situations. You could add together the total of items you buy as you shop, or multiply the gas cost per volume by your car's tank size to find the total cost. The more of a habit this becomes, the easier it will be.

[Edit]Practice Problems and Answers

Sample Mental Math Practice Problems

Sample Mental Math Practice Problems

Sample Mental Math Practice Answers

Sample Mental Math Practice Answers

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• In the real world, you don't always need to know the exact answer. If you're at the grocery store and trying to add 7.07 + 8.95 + 10.09, you could round to the closest whole numbers and estimate that the total is roughly 7 + 9 + 10 = 26.
• Some people find it easier to think in money than abstract numbers. Instead of 100 - 55, try thinking of a dollar minus a 50¢ coin and a 5¢ coin.

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ http://gizmodo.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-mental-math-ability-1792597814
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgw9Ik5ZGaY
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV1dC1KAl_U
4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JW9BA57aR8
5. ↑ http://www.wired.co.uk/article/master-mental-maths
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCBTw8KAqkw
7. ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/5-tips-faster-mental-multiplication/
8. ↑ http://gizmodo.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-mental-math-ability-1792597814
9. ↑ [v161434_b01]. 29 May 2020.