Hellooo My Little Luvvies,
So you are in Grade 3. You are asked to do this: Use the repeated multiplication strategy to solve: 5 x 3. Here’s your answer:
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Firstly, give the kid a cigar. According to The Telegraph, UK, the kid is only in Grade 3 and can read: repeated multiplication strategy without their head exploding. Secondly, this kid understands the question.
5 x 3 = 5 + 5 + 5 except, according to the teacher, this answer is wrong.
The answer should be:
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3
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According to The Telegraph : The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in the US defended how the paper was marked, saying it gives students a better understanding of the problems they are solving.
Of course, the NCTM is suggesting:
5 x 3 = 5 times 3 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3
5 x X = 5 times X = X + X + X + X + X
But what about:
X x 3 = ?
X x 3 = X times 3 = 3 times X = X + X + X
Mathematicians have to think like this! They must be nibble. Mathematicians must think for themselves.
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Too many kids hate maths due to FEAR or BOREDOM. How much would you hate maths if you got correct answers marked WRONG?
And how much would you FEAR the next maths test?
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Needless to say, I’m with Bart. Math teachers should not mark right answers wrong for any reason. More reasons why kids hate maths here: BEWARE OF MATHS FUNDAMENTALISTS
I’m MATHSPIG. I LOVE MATHS.
Cheerio for now
Mathspig
