In the September 2010 issue of "Mathematics Teaching," Tom O'Brien offered practical advice about how to teach addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and contrasted his point of view with that of H.H. Wu. In this article, the author revisits Tom's examples, drawing on his methodology while, hopefully, simplifying it and giving it…

This article reports on work undertaken by schools as part of Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's (QCA's) "Engaging mathematics for all learners" project. The goal was to use in the classroom, materials and approaches from a Royal Institution (Ri) Year 10 master-class, "Number Sense", which was inspired by examples from…

"The power of two" is a Royal Institution (Ri) mathematics "master-class". It is a two-and-a half-hour interactive learning session, which, with varying degree of coverage and depth, has been run with students from Year 5 to Year 11, and for teachers. The master class focuses on an historical episode--the Josephus…

The meaning of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) and the mathematics involved in the use of a check digit to catch errors in number transcription are discussed. (JM)

Examines three strands of elementary mathematics--numerals and counting, recording and calculating, and mathematics exploration and play--and provides ways to integrate culture and mathematics experiences in each area. Specific topics include Egyptian methods for multiplication, the abacus, and the words for the numbers 1-10 in seven different…

An instructional sequence in which number lines and beads are used to illustrate addition and subtraction of directed numbers is described. (SD)

Evaluates the National Numeracy Strategy (NNS) as a successful framework for promoting confidence and competence with numbers and measures, an understanding of the number system, a repertoire of computational skills, and the ability to solve number problems in a variety of school contexts. Suggests taking steps to change children's mathematical…

An activity providing practice with whole number addition and subtraction, as well as enlarging on the idea of numeration systems, is described. (DT)

Use of graphs in studying greatest common divisors, least common multiples, and other concepts can illustrate patterns related to the definitions of these concepts. (SD)

Beginning with peg manipulation the author sets up a different multiplication system and set of primes. (JM)

Students examined patterns emerging when numbers placed at vertices in a braided pattern were summed. (SD)