This book is about playing with mathematics, teaching: (1) How to multiply and divide large numbers mentally; (2) Making addition and subtraction easy; (3) Tricks for understanding fractions and decimals; and (4) How to quickly check answers for each calculation. Described as a foolproof way to do multiplication, division, factoring estimating,…

Presents five activities focusing on mental computation and estimation for the K-3, 3-5, 4-6, and 6-8 grade levels that require the student, acting as a judge, to review solutions to problems and to pronounce and justify a verdict. Provides suggested materials, questions, possible extensions, answers, and worksheets for each activity. (MDH)

Activities that can be used for maintenance of computational skills and can lead to the discovery of a pattern verifiable by an algebraic procedure are noted. The language of algebra is used in nonroutine settings, with several challenges for further exploration. (MP)

This book is designed to introduce and provide motivational practice on basic multiplication facts for students in grades 2-6. The facts are presented in order from 0 through 12, with activities designed to review previously presented facts at three points. A test is provided. Searches, magic squares, mazes, and puzzles are among the activities…

This textbook is designed to teach the principles of Arithmetical Science as far as they are involved in the elementary processes, and to secure a reasonable degree of accuracy and rapidity in expressing numbers and computing results. This work presents at first the idea of numbers connected with visual representations of objects; afterward, when…

Four worksheets and teaching suggestions are presented, with the focus on mental computation for levels 2-3; factors, levels 3-4; and nonroutine problems, levels 5-6 and 7-8. (MNS)

This section contains four worksheets for games on estimation. Impact, Crossfire, Fire One, and Fire Two each require the use of calculators to focus on place value, multiplication, or division. (MNS)

Four activities focus on estimation and mental computation. Each consists of a game that can be used on an overhead projector. The content involved finding costs and estimating sums, products, and percents. (MNS)

Learning the techniques of critical thinking and problem solving can be easy for children when presented problems involving fun topics. Problem sets which range from easy to hard written by elementary school students and educational consultants are included. Topics include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. Each topic…

Practice on computation is provided using new and novel situations, with discovery of number patterns a bonus of the computation. Activities with disguised addition and multiplication tables for whole numbers and integers are presented for varying levels. (MNS)

Uses of calculators to teach the concept of exponents are described. Topics covered on activity sheets include powers of two, number systems, and powers as repeated multiplication. Cooperative learning is emphasized. (KR)