Of the "big four", division is likely to regarded by many learners as "the odd one out", "the difficult one", "the one that is complicated", or "the scary one". It seems to have been that way "for ever", in the perception of many who have trodden the learning pathways through the world of…

In order to give insights into cross-national differences in schooling, this study analyzed the development of multiplication and division of fractions in two curricula: "Everyday Mathematics" (EM) from the USA and the 7th Korean mathematics curriculum (KM). Analyses of both the content and problems in the textbooks indicate that…

The multiplication and division algorithms that are taught in German schools are presented. It is suggested that these algorithms may be better than standard algorithms in terms of development of useful concepts and processes. (MK)

Drill activities for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division that are derived from the history of mathematics are suggested. (MK)

The Cockcroft Report on English Schools recommends that all schools design their syllabuses and examinations on the assumption that all students will have access to calculators. How to use calculators sensibly to improve what is taught and how curriculum content may change are discussed. (MNS)

The author suggests that the efficient use of mathematics in everyday life means translating situations into mathematical contexts, using a calculator and mental methods of calculation. Suggestions for teaching these concepts are included. (PK)

The concept of multiplication is described and illustrated using several different representational systems. A conceptual approach to teaching mathematics is compared with the procedural approach commonly found in the school curriculum. Four different methods of representing the multiplication process with numbers larger than ten are presented:…

Using four large existing databases on student performance in the elementary grades, this study involves a task-by-task, year-by-year cross-sectional analysis of six topics in computation. Information about what students eventually learn and when they learn it is provided by the data analysis; information about when skills are introduced and…