Building Big Number Times Tables

Mastering long division algorithm requires a good understanding of the meaning of division, knowledge of the times tables, subtraction skills and also the ability to estimate because it comprises several important principles. Using "Big Number Times Tables" (BNTT) can make the teaching and learning of long division algorithm much easier. BNTT needs children to only memorizing times tables up to table 9. Instead of doing trial and error as they normally do, children are guided to build the times tables systematically and they can build their own times tables with bigger number. Results of the early research show that majority children chose to use big number times table to solve problems because they make less error. Since BNTT guides children to build times tables in a systematic way, this gives the children the confidence to proceed with all the problems given. Teachers also find this technique very helpful. Furthermore, once anyone understands the steps being taken, BNTT can be used not only with one or two digits numbers but it can be applied with any bigger number which has more than two digits. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.