Top 4 Basic Math Skills Students Should Learn

Math is among the many subjects we are obliged to take that well transcends into our college years. No matter what year level math is something we unwillingly take and learn as it is deemed very important in our survival. Albeit not many people liking the subject, school policy dictates we learn whatever it is that we need to learn in math. But before we can all go forth and excel in math, there are basic math skills we need to master. We need these basic skills as these are the things that have daily importance and application in our lives such as the add-subtract-multiply-divide knowledge we have learned since we started becoming aware of numbers. It is a skill that all math skills and concepts rely upon heavily and have daily use for us like in grocery store perhaps and when riding the public transportation. Basic math skills enable us to survive in a world full of treachery and delusion.

The ever changing needs of the society, quantitative boom, and the high availability and demand for gadgets such as computers and calculators require that people be a master of basic math skills. Apart from the very basic of all math skills, the add-subtract- multiply-divide skills, there are other areas of math skills every student should learn. Here are the top 4 basic math skills every student should learn.

Problem solving. You don't learn this from the time you start learning math. But this is a basic skill that each student should learn as it enables them to develop analytical thinking. There are certain situations in life that allow you to be analytical and it is crucial when making decisions. This is a skill in math we all have to develop to hone and enhance our analytical brains to be able to analyze situations more before acting upon it.

Applied Math. This is something every student should learn - applying math in everyday situations. Everyday we are presented with different math situations and students should be able to handle those with confidence. This skill will also help students appreciate the importance of math even more as they can relate it to their everyday life.

Estimation and approximation. This is one skill you will put to use almost everyday. Measurements are everywhere and whatever it is you are buying you are at some point estimating and making approximations. Math teaches you techniques on estimating and approximating length, distance, quantity, weight, and many others that you will eventually use on some days or everyday. Such skill will allow you to know when measurement is already precise or accurate for any purpose you might need it to be.

Necessary computational skills. This is by far among the very important basic math skills you should be able to learn and understand. Everyday situations require you to be knowledgeable in computations of whole numbers or fractions, decimals and this should be done without any calculator. Most of the time people hardly bring calculator with them when they go shopping thus mental computation is a must learn skill. Also, it can be a hassle trying to run through all of the things inside your bag just to look for your reliable calculator especially when you are in a hurry. Basic mental computation is a must to solve daily computational problems without any hassle.

Math is something that we deal with everyday thus it is appropriate for us to learn the basics of it no matter how hard it can get. It is something that we will be using everyday for the rest of our lives. Math truly is essential in the survival of every human being.

Math Teacher Web Sites

We are always on the lookout for great web sites for teachers. The web sites listed below come highly recommended from at least a dozen teachers before we post it.

  1. AAA Math
  2. AGradeMath- worksheets, videos, games, and homework help.
  1. BEAM: Be a Mathematician
  2. BOXERmath.com
  3. The Concept and Teaching of Mathematical Place Value
  4. Illuminations
  5. Making Mathematics: Mentored Research Projects for Young Mathematicians
  6. Materials For Math Educators
  7. The Math Forum Teachers' Place
  8. Math Forum: Teacher2Teacher
  9. The Math Projects Journal
  10. MathsNet
  11. MegaMath
  12. Meikleriggs' Mathematics
  13. NCTM - Principles and Standards for School Mathematics - Electronic edition
  14. Plane Math
  15. Smile Mathematics