Why are students not permitted to use mental math for the last step of a task?
Unlike the intermediate steps in a problem, which may be omitted if done on a calculator or in some cases in ones head, the final step is critical in that it demonstrates whether or not the student has taken the reasoning in the correct direction, has made an appropriate leap, and had finalized the process correctly.
Related Questions
- Some of my 8th grade students are studying algebra (or other high school math classes). Are they permitted to participate in the 8th grade contest?
- Are we really identifying the students with math weaknesses when they lose credit for using mental math or transferring a number incorrectly?
- Why are students not permitted to use mental math for the last step of a task?
