Why Is Math Fact Fluency Important.

 

I've had students who asked me why they needed to learn their multiplication tables, learn to do fractions, or some other why question with regard to math.  It falls under the overall umbrella of why is having math fact fluency important.  Since COVID, students are not as fluent with number facts as they had been and today we are exploring all the reasons why it is important to have math fact fluency.  

When students know their fact fluency, they are able to perform calculations more quickly and accurately. In addition, if they are able to add, subtract, multiply, or divide, they can solve the more complex problems. Furthermore, when they have fact fluency, they are able to answer questions more effectively in timed situations such as standardized tests, or solve problems in real life situations.

They are also able to do mental math much faster and do not need to rely on the results of a calculator or needing a piece of paper and pen for physical calculations. Being able to do mental math is something that can be every day either when estimating costs, weighing options to make a quick decision, or solving problems without tools. 

Furthermore, math is a cumulative subject.  Basic math facts serve as the foundation for more advanced topics. When they have a good understanding of these basic math facts, they are more likely to grasp the more advanced concepts and do well.  When students have a good fact fluency, they have more confidence in their mathematical abilities and that increased confidence helps provide the motivation needed to tackle more complex problems and topics. They are more likely to persevere on harder problems and they are more likely to like math.

In addition, when they have fact fluency, they have more brain power available to focus on the underlying clues, understand, and solve problems rather than being stuck on basic calculations. Consequently, it paves the way for both improved problem solving skills and critical thinking ability.  It also makes real life applications in budgeting, balancing a check book, shopping, and other skills, much easier to do. 

Math fact fluency also reduces math anxiety because they feel confident in what they are doing. So when students have fact fluency, they are more likely to do better in math, have confidence, solve problems more easily, and perform operations for accurately.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Use of Calculators and Math Fact Fluency.

One important facet of math is that students need to have  fluency of math facts.  I realize with all the calculators around, there is debate on if students still need to know their math facts.

Math fact fluency is defined as the ability to quickly recall basic facts for all four operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. As they become more fluent, there are changes in the brain and this ability goes into long term memory so they can focus on other parts of solving equations.

In addition, this fluency allows students to focus on learning problem solving, new concepts and skills which are needed for higher level mathematics.

These math facts are the building blocks for higher level concepts so if a student is fluent, they will find these concepts easier to learn.  In addition, it helps build their confidence in their ability to do math.

According to one article I read, the use of calculators can hinder students who do not have math fact fluency will it can help those who are fluent.  It has been found that having students use a calculator to check their work is much more effective because it provides immediate feedback.

One of the most compelling arguments I've read for having students learn their basic number facts is if they make a mistake entering the numbers in, they know the result is off.  The same applies to entering more complex problems in the calculators, if its not put in correctly, the answer will be wrong.

In addition, knowing math facts is good when working with fractions because you have to multiply or divide fractions with unlike denominators to get a common denominator.  Very few calculators are easy to work with fractions. Sometimes, they give a decimal answer and other times, it is a pain just to enter the fraction.

Not knowing their multiplication and division facts makes it more difficult to identify fractions as equivalent because they don't know multiples.  In addition, this carries over into decimals and percents so overall these students struggle in algebra and higher level math classes.

Furthermore, having your multiplication facts down cold makes it so much easier to list possible factors when factoring trinomials into binomials.  If  you don't know them, you won't be able to factor properly. 

Most people who use calculators use them for more complex mathematics.  I recently saw Hidden Figures which illustrates this point.  The IBM produced two different results for John Glenn's landing spot and they called in the woman to double check the figures.  She did the simple calculations on a fancy adding machine but she knew her math facts so incorrect answers did not slow her down.  She knew.

Let me know your opinion on knowing math facts fluently.  I'd love to hear.  I'm still struggling with the use of calculators because I know my math so well, its often faster to do it by hand than with a calculator.