Arguing that mathematics is a form of communication that students need help in understanding, this article describes a set of seven simple interactive LogoWriter tools that can be used to help children explore the language of multiplication. Examples of the use of graphics in responding to children's commands are provided and several exercises are…

Offers practical suggestions to help children learn their multiplication tables. (Author/CCM)

In this note, using the method of undetermined coefficients, we obtain the power series for exp ( f ( x )) and ln ( f ( x )) by means of a simple recursion. As applications, we show how those power series can be used to reproduce and improve some well-known results in analysis. These results may be used as enrichment material in an advanced…

This article discusses the role of the commutative, associative, distributive, and identity properties of addition and multiplication in preparing children for future success in algebra. (Contains 3 figures.)

A multiple-probes-across-tasks design was used to evaluate the effects of a taped-problems intervention on the multiplication fact fluency of 18 students from an intact general education third-grade classroom. During the classwide taped-problems intervention, students were given lists of problems and instructed to attempt to complete each problem…

Knowledge and skill in multiplication were investigated for late elementary-grade students with mathematics learning disabilities (MLD), typically achieving age-matched peers, low-achieving age-matched peers, and ability-matched peers by examining multiple measures of computational skill, working memory, and conceptual knowledge. Poor…

Weaving number patterns is an exciting way to drill, and the final product is beautiful! (Editor)

Difficulty levels of 168 randomly generated multiplication problems were obtained by testing 238 fifth-graders. Variables concerning the number of operations, digits carried, and magnitude of the digits were defined, and a least-squares procedure was used to construct structural models accounting for 60-70 per cent of observed problem difficulty…

Presents a study which compared the achievement and basic process understanding of groups of pupils (12 fourth grade classes in four school systems) who were taught multidigit multiplication by either the distributive method or the lattice method. (ED)

The author advocates the classroom consideration of new algorithms as a means of leading students to make original hypotheses. He discusses a multiplication algorithm based on the differences between squares. (SD)

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand numbers. Use geometric representations to teach and reinforce the multiplication tables. (Editor)

The study investigated types of errors made by learning disabled children by analyzing written responses to multiplication and division problems. Error classifications are discussed, and possible causes are suggested. The importance of thorough investigation of errors by teachers is stressed. (Author/DB)

Use of an ancient method of mental calculation with aliquot parts is illustrated. Other tips for helping children reason are also included. (MNS)