This week's mental arithmetic questions for Year 4 include two tricky terms which many children do not know. Firstly, the term quotient, which can be thought of as the answer to a division question, or the number obtained by dividing one number by another. So, in 15 divided by 3 equals 5, the quotient is 5. Secondly, the term product, which is found by multiplying two numbers together ( not adding as many children think). The Year 5 questions include a quick look at easy percentages (25% and 50%) and several number problems written in words. Perhaps the hardest question of all is, 'I buy 8 twelve pence stamps and 6 fifteen pence stamps. How much does that cost?' Probably the best approach to this is to multiply 12 by 8 which is 96 [this could be done by doubling 12 (24) doubling again (48) and again (96)]. Then multiply fifteen by six [the easiest way is to double 15 (30) and then multiply by 3 (90)]. Then add the 96 and 90 to get 186p. Don't expect too many children to get that one correct! The Year 6 questions concentrate on some easy revision of addition and subtraction skills, using numbers up to thousands as well as decimals. Go to Year 4 mental arithmetic Go to Year 5 mental arithmetic Go to Year 6 mental arithmetic