Principles and Standards for School Mathematics

Number and Operations Standard
    Number and Operations Standard (pre-K - 2)


      use a variety of methods and tools to compute, including objects, mental computation, estimation, paper and pencil, and calculators.


    Number and Operations Standard (3 - 5)
      develop fluency with basic number combinations for multiplication and division and use these combinations to mentally compute related problems, such as 30 x 50;




      develop and use strategies to estimate computations involving fractions and decimals in situations relevant to students' experience;



      select appropriate methods and tools for computing with whole numbers from among mental computation, estimation, calculators, and paper and pencil according to the context and nature of the computation and use the selected method or tools.


    Number and Operations Standard (6 - 8)
      select appropriate methods and tools for computing with fractions and decimals from among mental computation, estimation, calculators or computers, and paper and pencil, depending on the situation, and apply the selected methods;





    Number and Operations Standard (9 - 12)
      develop fluency in operations with real numbers, vectors, and matrices, using mental computation or paper-and-pencil calculations for simple cases and technology for more-complicated cases.