Forgotten Math for Parents

When was the last time you had middle school math - adding fractions or solving a percentage problem? Does the word "algebra" still strike fear in your heart?

Take our fun, Forgotten Math for Parents Quiz to discover how to revive some of your long lost math skills in order to become a better resource for your children during homework time.

Pop Quiz!
1. 3 1/2 + 2 6/8 =
2. Andrew attended 2 3/4 hours of class yesterday and 3 5/12 hours of classes today. He plans to attend 12 1/4 hours of class in all. About how many more hours must he attend?
3. What is the product of 1.16 and 20.051?
4. Find 287 1/2% of 24.
5. (26-9)-(-4-9)
6. It will cost $240 to charter a bus for a class trip. There is already $65 in the class treasury. The 25 students agree to pay the difference evenly. How much will each student pay?
7. Simplify (3x)(5x)=
8. Write 44.207 in expanded form.


Pencils down! How did you do?

Answers
1.6 1/4 2. About 6 hours 3. 23.25916 4. 69 5. 48 6. $7 7. 15x^2 8. (4 x 10^1)+(4 x 10^0)=(2 x 10^-1)+(7 x 10^-3)

90%-100%
Congratulations! You are a great math resource for your child. But, even mathematicians sometimes need a little extra help. Students who are unsure of their academic knowledge require assurance to ask for help. In order to ensure a student is secure in his or her abilities, parents must be nurturing and inspire confidence by helping the student develop self confidence. Study tip - Take turns working on problems together and explaining how you arrived at your solutions. Then, solve problems in a variety of ways and allow your child to use his or her imagination and favorite method.

70%-80%
Great job! You have mastered the math fundamentals. Making mathematics a part of a young child's daily routine, and continuing that process throughout high school, can help create excitement and willingness to learn new, complex concepts. Study tip - Make math matter outside of school by creatively unlocking the math problems hidden within everyday situations. Keeping track of batting averages provides a natural introduction to statistics. Rearranging a teenager's room can turn into a geometry lesson by talking about the room's square footage versus the space taken up by the child's furniture or how the room's shape determines interior design - the placement of objects.

50%-60%
You are on your way to becoming a mathlete! To support your child's math learning, parents must believe that everyone can learn mathematics, and that learning math is essential to lifelong success. It is important for parents to intervene as soon as a child exhibits signs that he or she is struggling with a concept. Study tip - Use fun activities to introduce new math concepts. Ask your child to figure out the savings on a sweater marked down 25 percent when shopping or offer to give students a percentage of the grocery money saved by clipping coupons.

Less than 50%
With a little practice, you'll become a math star! It is common for parents of elementary school-aged students to feel secure helping their children with math assignments. However, as children enroll in more advanced math classes, parents often become less confident in their ability to help their children. Study tip - Review previously learned math concepts together before each homework session and gradually move into new and more difficult areas. Model the process of making mistakes and calmly learning from them.