Watch Secrets of Mental Math

In Secrets of Mental Math, Arthur T. Benjamin – an experienced mathematician and world-renowned mathemagician – reveals the secrets behind mental math and teaches viewers how to perform impressive calculations in their heads. This course is offered through The Great Courses, and is perfect for anyone interested in learning how to solve math problems quickly and accurately without the use of a calculator.

Throughout the course, Benjamin covers a range of concepts and techniques designed to help viewers develop their mental math skills. He starts by teaching basic math principles that lay the foundation for more complex calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. He then moves on to more advanced topics, such as how to find square roots, calculate percentages, and solve algebraic equations.

One of the standout aspects of this course is Benjamin's teaching style. He has a natural flair for engaging an audience and making complex concepts easy to understand. Viewers will appreciate his sense of humor and energy, as well as his ability to break down mathematical concepts into simple steps. He demonstrates each technique using real-world examples, making it easy for viewers to visualize and apply the concepts.

This course is divided into 12 half-hour episodes, each of which covers a different topic. For example, in the first episode, Benjamin teaches viewers how to perform basic addition and subtraction in their heads. He then moves on to teach more advanced techniques such as "casting out nines" and "removing common factors" to simplify calculations.

Another episode focuses on multiplication and division, and viewers will learn how to quickly calculate values such as 3-digit by 3-digit multiplication, long division, and quick division by 5, 9, and 11. Benjamin also teaches viewers how to mentally multiply numbers with decimal points, and how to perform division without a calculator.

As the course progresses, the topics become increasingly complex. For example, in one episode Benjamin teaches viewers how to find the square root of any number, regardless of how large it is. He shows viewers how to use estimation and approximation techniques to make the process easier, and provides easy-to-remember formulas to help viewers calculate square roots in just a few seconds.

In another episode, Benjamin demonstrates how to use mental math to solve algebraic equations such as 2x + 3 = 7. He shows how to use techniques such as "cross multiplying" and "removing denominators" to simplify equations and solve for variables in just a few steps. By the end of the course, viewers will have a deep understanding of the principles of mental math, and will be able to perform impressive calculations in their heads that will leave others amazed.

Overall, Secrets of Mental Math is an excellent course for anyone interested in developing their mental math skills. Benjamin is an engaging and dynamic instructor who makes learning math both fun and rewarding. Viewers will love his enthusiasm and energy, and will appreciate the real-world examples he uses to demonstrate each concept. Whether you're a student looking to improve your math grades or someone who just wants to impress their friends, this course is an investment in your mental abilities that will pay off for years to come.

Secrets of Mental Math is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between January 16, 2011 and on The Great Courses