A test method is described for determining the divisibility of non-negative integers by a prime number. The test uses an integer multiplying factor that is defined for each prime, designated as [beta], to reduce the non-negative integer that is being tested by an order of magnitude in each of a sequence of steps to obtain a series of new numbers.…

This document includes instructional tips on: (1) Building on students' informal understanding of sharing and proportionality to develop initial fraction concepts; (2) Helping students recognize that fractions are numbers that expand the number system beyond whole numbers, and using number lines to teach this and other fraction concepts; (3)…

Children learn to find answers when multiplying two whole numbers (e.g., 3 × 7 = 21). To this end, they may repeatedly add one number (e.g., 7 + 7 + 7 = 21). But what meanings do they have for multiplication? The authors address this issue while sharing an innovative, playful task called Please Go and Bring for Me (PGBM). Drawing on the…

During a time when students are accessing instruction virtually because of COVID-19, reflecting on the sixth of the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP 6) is a vital step for educators to take. Although the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (NGA Center and CCSSO 2010) identifies SMP 6 as Attend to precision, associated expertise…

Provides an alternative to traditional instruction in multiplication and division to develop computational fluency in students. (Author/NB)

Discusses arithmetic during long-multiplications and long-division. Provides examples in decimal reciprocals for the numbers 1 through 20; connection with divisibility tests; repeating patterns; and a common fallacy on repeating decimals. (YP)

The document presents the final report of the Initial Learning in Mainstreaming Project, which developed and tested instructional techniques in 14 specific mathematics skill areas with 429 handicapped and normal elementary school students in Grace and Soda Springs, Idaho. Skill areas included addition facts; subtraction facts; carrying…

Describes the characteristics of progressive schematization with regard to column multiplication and column division. Contrasts this with column arithmetic based on progressive complexity. Presents a summary of research data concerning column arithmetic. (TW)

Describes four mathematics teachers' classroom discussions with small groups in their first year secondary (11-12 years old) classrooms. Analyzes interview results from one student in each group. Topic of the classroom was division of fractions. (YP)

This paper describes the BUD project which surveyed childrens' conceptions of division, and of fractions and decimals. The lack of connection between counting skills and conceptual understanding is discussed. The expectations for new algorithms and the basic idea in planning the BUD project are summarized. Some previous studies on counting, the…

Assessed are the extent to which the beliefs, "multiplication always makes bigger" and "division always makes smaller," are explicitly held by preservice elementary teachers. Insight into the sources of preservice teachers' beliefs and into the relationship among preservice teachers' beliefs, computational skills, and performance on word problems…

A program for teaching "number sense" is suggested based on experiences in teaching numeracy to Papua New Guinean adults. Number sense starts out with some sort of "feel" about the size of a number and extends upwards to include any such mental arithmetical skills as can reasonably be incorporated in an appropriate program.…