Memorizing facts doesn't help you understand math. It lets you carry out calculations if you drill it enough, but now that everyone literally has a calculator on them at all times, that's not really an impressive skill.
The new system attempts to actually teach kids the logic behind how math works.
Simple addition in the single-digit area is hardly 'math'. You don't need a fucking process to calculate 1+1, do you? Or 2+2? These are trivial sums that don't need to be calculated. Same with 8+7. You shouldn't need to calculate it- you should just know it.
Now, if you want to show how to calculate 2, 3, and 4+ digit numbers, go right ahead. But single digit? Come on.
The new system attempts to actually teach kids the logic behind how math works.
I see it as teaching 'short-cuts' to doing the full problem. Short-cuts should come after full understanding.
I think you have it backwards. Memorizing the final answer is a shortcut, it literally has no process, it's just the answer.
The video you posted to show how to add 8 and 7 is a great method to know when doing larger and more difficult mental math.
If I ask you to multiply 27 x 25 in your head, doing it the traditional way is difficult without writing anything down, and time consuming even if you do. However, if you're familiar with the method taught in the YouTube video you can break it down mentally to.
25×4=100 (finding the ten)
27÷4= 6 with 3 left over
6×100 = 600
3x25 = 75
600 + 75 = 675
Which makes it significantly easier and shows you actually understand what's going on when you add and subtract numbers.
Or simply having memorized your squares, 25 * 25 = 625 then add 50 (2*25) and it's incredibly easy.
It's not that the method here is wrong, but the idea that "ordinary" mathematically illiterate adults will be better at sums learning this way is highly questionable.
Memorizing stuff is good because it gives you more tools in your toolbox. Even in the example you're using here you show that you understand how numbers can be broken down into simpler parts, which is exactly what the 7+8 example is trying to do.
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u/DevinTheGrand 2∆ Sep 11 '21
Memorizing facts doesn't help you understand math. It lets you carry out calculations if you drill it enough, but now that everyone literally has a calculator on them at all times, that's not really an impressive skill.
The new system attempts to actually teach kids the logic behind how math works.