Mental Math Books: 6 Top Picks for All Levels
3 min read · Aug 12, 2024
Table of contents
Hey there!
Welcome to the fifth chapter in my mental math series.
Today I'm going to lay out some of the best books on mental math for you, whether you're just starting out or looking to become a real whiz kid.
As someone who built a popular book recommendation website, this is a topic near and dear to my heart.
Beginner Level
If you're new to this mental math game, don't worry. There are some great books out there that'll teach you the ropes (without overwhelming you).
Here are a few that I think are worth your time:
"Secrets of Mental Math" by Arthur Benjamin
Don't let the playful title fool you - this book is packed with valuable techniques.
Benjamin's background as a "mathemagician" means he knows how to make learning fun.
You'll pick up tricks for quick addition, subtraction, multiplication, and more. It's the kind of book that'll make you feel like you've got a secret weapon in your back pocket.
"Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley
Last but not least for beginners, there's this book.
What I like about it is that Handley doesn't just teach you tricks - he helps you understand the principles behind them.
This book will give you a solid foundation in mental math that you can build on for years to come.
Intermediate Level
Alright, let's talk about stepping up your game. Once you've got the basics down, it's time to push yourself further. Here are the books that'll push:
"Trachtenberg Speed System of Basic Mathematics" by Jakow Trachtenberg
Now, this isn't some newfangled method. It's a classic, and for good reason.
Jakow Trachtenberg breaks down complex math into simple steps that anyone can follow. It's like he's giving you a roadmap to becoming a human calculator.
If you're serious about improving your mental math, this is a great place to start.
"Vedic Mathematics" by Bharati Krishna Tirtha
Now, don't let the fancy title fool you - this isn't some ancient mystical text. It's a system Tirtha came up with himself, based on 16 sutras (or rules).
Some people get hung up on whether it's really "Vedic" or not… but that's missing the point. What matters is that this book can teach you some lightning-fast calculation methods!
Tirtha's system claims to simplify complex math, and while I can't vouch for every method in the book (we'll talk about it in a later chapter), I can tell you this: if you master even a few of these techniques, you'll have a real edge.
Advanced Level
When you're ready to leave the amateurs in the dust, these are the books you need to study:
"Dead Reckoning: Calculating Without Instruments" by Ronald W. Doerfler
Doerfler dives into the deep end, teaching you how to mentally compute roots, logarithms, and trigonometric functions.
Now, you might be thinking, "When am I ever going to need to calculate a logarithm in my head?" But that's missing the point. This kind of mental gymnastics trains your brain to handle complex problems quickly and efficiently.
Doerfler's book is particularly good because it doesn't just rehash the same old methods. He offers fresh approaches that can be more effective than the standard techniques.
"The Mental Calculator's Handbook" by R. Fountain & J.V. Koningsveld
This one's for those of you who want to go pro. It's designed for mental calculation competitors, but don't let that scare you off. This book offers insights into the techniques used by the world's top mental calculators.
Now, you might not be planning to enter any math competitions, but that's not the point. The strategies in this book can help you perform calculations that most people would consider impossible.
Conclusion
Whether you're just starting out or you're already a mental math whiz, hopefully you found something here that can take you to the next level.
But remember what I always say - it's not enough to just read these books. You've got to practice, practice, practice! (hence why the practice tool I built is completely free).
See you in the next chapter 🙂 Be well.
About the author
Richard Reis
Founder of Mental Math Pro! Also currently doing a fun little "25 AI Startups in 50 Weeks" challenge.
