Ms. Math's way

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Home : 2007 : June : 21

Ms. Math's way
By kiasun711

A few years ago we had an in-service with Ms. Math. At first I thought it was hard, but when I tried it I found out I liked it a lot more! I know it is hard to understand without seeing it done, but here is what I send
home to explain to parents:

This year my math class is learning an alternate way to do long division. This is different then the divide, multiply, subtract, bring down, repeat sequence that you and I most likely learned. I refer to that way as the traditional method. This alternative way, when understood, helps students master place value, and number sense, as well as what division

actually is.

1- Ask how many groups of 4 can be pulled out of 573?
(Students should try to start with the largest place value
and multiples of 10, but they do not have to)
I know that 100 groups of 4 can be taken out of 573.
2- Ask how many did I actually take out?
100 groups of 4 means 100 x 4 which equals 400.
3- Subtract the removed amount from the whole group.
573-400= 173
4- Since the difference is still more then the divisor the pattern continues
5- Ask how many groups of 4 can be pulled out of 173?
I know that 40 groups of 4 is equal to 160 so I will take that out next.
6- Subtract the removed amount from the whole group.
173-160= 13
7- The difference is still more then the divisor so we keep going.
8- How many groups of 4 can be taken out of 13?
I know that 3 groups of 4 is 12 and that is very close to 13
9- Subtract the removed amount from the whole group.
13-12=1
10-The difference is now less then the divisor so I circle it because it is my remainder
11- Add up all the groups that I took out
100+40+3= 143 with my remainder of 1, so my final quotient is 143R1.
12-Check by multiplying.
143 x 4= 572 + 1= 573