What is the point of new math?

Curriculum topics and teaching practices were changed in the U.S. shortly after the Sputnik crisis. The goal was to boost students’ science education and mathematical skill to meet the technological threat of Soviet engineers, reputedly highly skilled mathematicians.

How is new math different from old math?

Under new math, children were taught abstract, obscure mathematics previously reserved for older students; including set theory, how to count in different number bases, and that these are not “numbers”, but “numerals”.

Should you supplement your child’s math with new methods?

Rather than kick and scream, we recommend that you just accept today’s reality and become curious to discover the potential benefits of today’s approaches. If you have the means, by all means supplement your child with the math you were taught growing up. After all, once your child gets to Algebra I, the new methods are not needed.

Why is math so hard for me?

The real issue is that you never took the time to become strong in your previous math classes. The difficult problems you face in math and the more new topics tackle, the more this weakness will shine through. Many people find math difficult because they try to memorize their way through the material.

Why does math homework look the way it does?

Let’s first take a step back to understand why the homework looks the way it does. The way math is taught is changing in the United States because a lot of people in the past failed with traditional methods, and because there are researched ideas that suggest better results.

Do some people have a natural talent for math?

Sure, there are some people who have a natural talent and predisposition to math. They pick up the problems faster and the math relationships just naturally make sense to them. However, these people are mostly the exception. Most people have to work hard and study to develop any mathematical ability.