Helping Your Child Learn Mathematics (pdf)

Children are involved actively in the study of mathematics: They are

doing tasks that involve investigation, application and interpretation. They

are talking about and writing explanations for their mathematical reasoning.

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Algebra: A form of advanced arithmetic in which letters of the alphabet

represent unknown numbers.  Children use simple algebra when they solve a

problem such as 4 + ? =7 (a problem they would phrase as “4 + x = 7” when

they get older and begin to study algebra).

Arithmetic: A branch of mathematics taught to youngsters in elementary

school.  It deals with numbers and how to use them in the operations of

addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.