There are lots of people who say they’re not “good at math”. I argue that it started when they didn’t memorize the times tables.
Memorize. Not understand. Memorize
Think of the problem:
34
x56
----What does it take to solve this if you haven’t memorized the times tables.
ok. first I do 4×6. Right. What was 4×6 again? Let’s see 6+6 is 12. ok add another 6. um, 16? no 18. Another 6 makes 24? ok. Was that 4 times? I hope so.
ok, I put down the 4 and carry the two. Where does the two go again? (at this point the better part of a minute has gone by).
Ok, 3×6. Oh, I just did that one but I forgot the answer. 6+6=12. Add another 6. oh yeah right, 18. or was it 16?
Now where was I? put the 8 next to the 4. Oh, wait I need to carry the 2.
And so on.
The problem is that as you’re learning long multiplication, you keep getting sidetracked by basic multiplications.
- to keep losing where you were
- it takes longer to work the problem than the kid sitting next to you
- it makes long multiplication feel more difficult. There’s also this extra cognitive loading.
When you see 4×6, if you can just write down the 4, things go much smoother and your confidence doesn’t take a hit.
How about fractions?
\(\)$$\frac{1}{12} + \frac{1}{4}$$
When you look at the number 12, the numbers 3 and 4 hopefully sit there in the background. knowing that 12=3×4 means you can do
\(\)$$ \frac{1}{3*4} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{1}{3*4} + \frac{3}{3*4} $$
instead of
\(\)$$ \frac{4}{4*12} + \frac{12}{4*12} $$
oh wait, what 4×12 again? 12+12=24, add another 12 to get 32? 38? No 36. another 12 gives 44? or is it 48?
Where was I? This fractions stuff is hard.
Factions are hard. They’re even harder if you don’t know the times tables.
You don’t have to be “good at math” to be learn the times tables. You only need a functional memory. Learning them is a real drag. I hated it when I learned them. I really didn’t want to study them. I hated memorizing anything. I hated spelling too. but my parent forced me anyway.
There are very few things schools make you just memorize. times tables and the 50 states. That’s about it. You just have to learn them.
How about some algebra
\(\)$$ 3(7x+3) $$
Ok. I’ve got this one. First I take the 3 and multiply it by the 7. right. what’s 3×7? 7+7=16 or is it 14. it’s 14. Add another 7 to get 21.
Now, where was I? ok 21x. What do I do next? I forgot. oh yeah I add the 3. The answer is 21x + 3.
Wrong, forgot to also multiple the 3 by 3.
but if you just know the times tables, you quickly get to the point where you write the answer without even thinking about this.
What about
\(\)$$ \frac{3x+12}{x+4} $$
If you know that 12 has a 3 and a 4 in it, it’s much easier to get to
\(\)$$ \frac{3(x+4}{x+4} $$
enabling you to cancel the x+4.
All if this is easy or hard based on whether the times tables have been memorized.
My number one advice for any parents: learn the times tables and then make your kids memorize them too.
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