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Name: Mike B.
Status: student	
Age:  N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
Is there a simple mnemonic for me to teach children the basics of division? I know the one for order of operations! Any information would be appreciated.


Replies:
Mike,

I do 'oknow of a simple mnemonic. Order of operations is a human invention. The order is chosen by mathematicians out of convenience. Division is not the same. Division is based on reality, real life experience. If you take 3/4 of a cup of water and divide it evenly among three glasses, each glass really does contain 1/4 of a cup. Twenty-five marbles divided evenly among five students truly does leave each student with five marbles. Perhaps the reality of division would be useful. You might even want to try a few class-participation experiments or take-home projects. Seeing something like division happen in your own hands can be very helpful in learning how it works.

Dr. Ken Mellendorf
Physics Instructor
Illinois Central College


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