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Logic Games

Arithmetic race guide

How to play Mental Math

Build arithmetic speed in a two-minute race.

Mental Math offers solo practice and live races for two players. Score one point for each correct answer during a 120-second round, or customize the duration, operations, number ranges, and scoring. Solo practice runs in your browser; in a race, both players work through the same sequence at their own pace.

Find a match

01 / The essentials

Mental Math rules

  • Both players ready up before the countdown. The match clock starts together and continues through temporary disconnections.
  • Type the answer to advance. Automatic submission accepts a correct answer as soon as it is complete; Enter mode waits for you to submit.
  • The highest score when time expires wins. Equal scores are a draw. Optional mistake and skip penalties are shown in the room settings.

02 / Build the habit

Mental Math strategy

Break numbers apart

For 47 + 38, add 40 + 30 and 7 + 8, then combine 70 and 15. For 12 × 25, use 10 × 25 plus 2 × 25.

Use inverse operations

An exact division such as 336 ÷ 12 asks which number multiplied by 12 gives 336. Split it into 240 ÷ 12 plus 96 ÷ 12.

Train one operation

Choose addition-only or multiplication-focused practice to work on a weak spot. Increase the number ranges when you can answer accurately at a steady pace.

03 / Worked example

Round and compensate

For 98 + 47, first calculate 100 + 47 = 147, then subtract the extra 2 to get 145. Both players see the same question at the same position in their sequence.

04 / Put it into practice

Build your speed together

  1. Start solo with the two-minute Classic preset, or open Versus to race a friend.
  2. Review the score graph and operation breakdown after your run to find where you slowed down.
  3. Change your practice settings to focus on that operation, then return to a mixed run.
Find a match

A common mistake

A typing mistake is not the same as an arithmetic mistake. In automatic mode, incomplete or incorrect text stays in the answer box so you can correct it. Mistake penalties apply to deliberately submitted wrong answers.

Do both players get the same questions?

Yes. Players receive the same ordered sequence, but advance independently. A faster player may be further ahead in that sequence.

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Related games & guides

Guide updated . Rules describe the version on Logic Games.