Mental Maths is the maths we do in our heads without the use of calcu lators and without writing down the calculation. Mental Maths strategies are the 'tricks' we use to do Maths in our heads. There are different w ays of finding the answer to any Mental Maths problem, and such strategi es are the focus of this series. Even though calculators and computers p lay an enormous role in the modern world, we still need to go back to th e basics Ê we do need to know how to check that the sales assistant at the counter is giving us the right change! Mental Maths has become more important than ever and new primary Maths syllabuses in Australia are re flecting this. For example, NSW has placed an emphasis on Mental Maths i n its primary syllabus, and even the Year 10 School Certificate examinat ion has a compulsory non-calculator section.

Features of this boo k include:

• 32 double-page units of Mentals are included Ê 8 units for each school term
• each unit is divided into four set s (A,B,C and D) of 20 questions each
• each numbered question cov ers particular Maths topics throughout the book: for example, Question 1 always covers addition, while Question 20 always covers geometry
< li>a special 'ºHelp' section at the front of the book gives different strategies and explanations to help students solve Mentals problems. Th ese are also numbered so they link to the question numbers in each Menta ls unit
• a ºFun Spot unit, containing fun activities, and a ºRevision unit are included at the end of each 8 units
• extra practice sections which reinforce particular strategies appear in the lower part of each page. Answers to all questions are in a lift-out sect ion in the centre of the book