Are Some Multiplication Facts Harder than Others?

Overview

Objectives/Goals An experiment was carried out to determine if some multiplication facts are harder than others. For the purpose of this investigation, time to answer the fact and the accuracy of the answer were used as the indicators of difficulty. Methods/Materials A computer program was designed and coded to measure these quantities. The program presented all 100 multiplication facts in the form N x M where N and M ranged from 1 to 10 to a test subject. Facts were given in a random order to avoid bias due to factors such as fatigue at the end of the test. The program recorded the test subject#s time to answer and the accuracy of the answer. Ten subjects ranging in age from 10 to 12 years old were tested. The results were analyzed and graphed to determine the average time to answer each fact and the average accuracy. Averages were also calculated for each of the factors N and M. Results The results showed that 6 x 8 is the hardest multiplication fact, and that the 8, 6, 7, and 9 multiplication tables are the hardest, in that order. Conclusions/Discussion This was in general agreement with the hypothesis, which predicted that the 6, 7, and 8 multiplication tables would be the most challenging. This information could help educators develop more targeted learning strategies.

Awards (1)

• Honorable Mention

Competition history

• CSEF 2014 Cognitive Science (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0706

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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