Algorithms are Great: What about the mathematics that underpins them?
Our previous article, Algorithms are great: Understanding them is even better, presented evidence from students and suggested that some were attempting to use written algorithms without having an adequate level of understanding of what they were doing and why. This article will describe some of...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
2018
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/80387 |
| Summary: | Our previous article, Algorithms are great: Understanding
them is even better, presented evidence from students
and suggested that some were attempting to use written
algorithms without having an adequate level of understanding of what they were doing and why. This article
will describe some of the essential mathematics that
underpins the use of algorithms through a series of
learning pathways. The graphic below depicts the
mathematical ideas and concepts that underpin the
learning of algorithms for multiplication and division.
The understanding and use of algorithms is informed by
two important ideas—grid multiplication and extended
multiplication facts. The graphic combines a number
of learning pathways that lead to those two ideas. The
discussion that follows shows how each element builds
part of the underpinning structure needed to understand algorithms and to use them efficiently. |
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