What is an algorithm?
Essentially an algorithm is the method or process you use to perform a task. People use algorithms for all sorts of tasks. In Math we most often think of algorithms as the methods used to figure out the answer using the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
What are the alternative algorithms? Why don’t you just teach the standard algorithms to everyone?
For decades, all American school children have been taught one standard procedure for each of the four basic operations of arithmetic. These "standard" algorithms, like the regrouping ("borrowing") algorithm for multi-digit subtraction and the long division algorithm, are not the only way to perform these operations. There are many alternative algorithms taught in other countries. Compared to the standard U.S. algorithms, many of these alternative algorithms are more efficient and easier to learn. In fact, the traditional algorithms may actually hurt students’ development in the area of Number Sense.
Research has shown that teaching the standard U.S. algorithms fails with large numbers of children, and that alternative algorithms are often easier for children to understand and learn. Every child does not need to master all the algorithms. Students can achieve computational fluency using a variety of methods and should, in fact, be comfortable with more than one approach (see pp. 155 of Principles and Standards).
Our goal is for all students to be computationally fluent with all four operations. Please see the FAQ “What is Computational Fluency?” for a fuller definition.
This is a list of some of the more common algorithms students use. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
Addition Algorithms-
Subtraction Algorithms-
Multiplication Algorithms-
Division Algorithms-
Would you like a lesson in how to do one or more of the algorithms?
Contact me by email at glasgowb@region10ct.org to schedule a meeting.