Mental Computation and Estimation

Book excerpt: Mental calculations and estimations are basic, everyday skills that are essential for real-life arithmetic operations and number sense. This book presents a much needed overview and analysis of mental computation and estimation, drawing on contemporary research and empirical studies that were conducted on students, teachers and adults to cover all aspects of this complex field. Mental Computation and Estimation analyses the implications that are involved in the research, teaching and learning of mathematics and delivers effective practices that will enhance everyday learning for students. Focusing on a range of international research and studies from the School of Nature and Life Mathematics in Greece, it answers a number of important questions including: What mental calculations and estimations are, why they are important and what other mathematical concepts and cognitive behaviors are they related to? What strategies are used on mental additions, subtractions, multiplications and divisions and how are multiplication tables learned? What are the new trends in the teaching of mental calculation and estimation? An invaluable resource for all those involved in the practice and research of mathematics education, Mental Computation and Estimation will also be a useful tool for researchers, policy makers and developers of educational programs.