Alternative Algorithms

What are the alternative algorithms? Why are these part of the Everyday Mathematics curriculum?

For decades, all American schoolchildren have been taught one standard procedure for each of the four basic operations of arithmetic. These "standard" algorithms, like the regrouping ("borrowing") algorithm for multi-digit subtraction and the long division algorithm, are not the only ways to perform these operations. There are many alternative algorithms taught in other countries. Compared to the standard U.S. algorithms, many of these alternative algorithms are more efficient and easier to learn.

Research has shown that teaching the standard U.S. algorithms fails with large numbers of children, and that alternative algorithms are often easier for children to understand and learn. For this reason, Everyday Mathematics introduces children to a variety of alternative procedures in addition to the customary algorithms. Examples of a couple alternative algorithms are below:

                       2 6 8
                     + 4 8 3
                     _______
                       6 0 0
1. Add 100s            1 4 0
2. Add 10s               1 1
3. Add 1s            _______
4. Add partial sums    7 5 1

          67
        x 53
     _______
50 x 60 3000
50 x 7   350
3 x 60   180
3 x 7     21
     _______
        3551

Learn More

Visit our Algorithms / Computation page for worked examples and practice exercises.