fourth grade math under "no child left behind".
ok, first the concept, substituting an easy number to multiply with to make doing it easier in your head.
for example, 17 x 38. substitute 20 for 17, and 40 for 38 so you have 20 x 40. simple. 800. now, finding the "reasonable" answer. would a "reasonable" answer be 783? sure, you added numbers to your multiplier thus the answer to the problem would "reasonably" be less than 800.
my daughter had a timed math test in school today. she brought it home. an "F".
why? because she finnished late and didnt answer them all? nope, finnished before most of the other kids.
because she got all the answers wrong? nope, 25 math problems and every one was absolutly correct.
she failed because the teacher wasnt trying to teach them to solve the math problem, she failed because the teacher wanted the "reasonable" answer.
tell me, wouldnt the CORRECT answer be a "reasonable" answer to you?
the purpose? to teach kids how to find fast, REASONABLE answers on a standardized multiple guess test to get a good score on the FCAT.
i celebrated her test at home. not a single flaw.
the Bush addministraition working.....HARD....to make a generation of IDIOTS he can relate to.