Research on the structures and processes involved in simple mental arithmetic is reviewed. Results suggest that mental arithmetic is a memory retrieval phenomenon, which develops with the experiences of elementary school and can be understood in general as retrieval from organized network representations. Simple mental addition with basic facts…

Tests of computational estimation ability (CEA), strategy (CES), and mental computation ability (MCA) of (n=124) fourth, (n=143) fifth, and (n=84) sixth graders found significant relationships between CEA and MCA and between CEA and CES but not between MCA and CES. (12 references) (Author/MKR)

Examined elementary and junior high school students in grades 2, 5, and 7 to determine baseline data about student performance on mental computation. Reports performance levels, difficulties of different types of mental computation, and preferences for doing computations mentally, with calculators, or by hand for each grade level. (MDH)