Ridgewood School of Caloocan, Inc.

31 L27, Acacia St., Rainbow 5, Ph.2 Bagumbong,

Proficiency in Four Fundamental Operation of Mathematics of Grade

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the impact of action research methodology used to study the proficiency in
the four-fundamental operation of Mathematics of the students. In this study are including 20 grade 11
students section Blaise of Ridgewood School of Caloocan. A desire to identify the current condition of
the students in performing basic mathematical computations pushes these curious minds to pursue this
study. Mixed method research design was adopted for this study. Data were collected and analyzed from
the students’ pre and post-test scores as well as from the interviews. Comparisons of the scores showed
positive progress and greater improvement in the students’ performance.

INTRODUCTION

The four fundamental operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and their
relations are basic mathematical concepts to be taught at primary education level. Acquisition of those
four concepts and their relations enables students to develop their understanding for numbers and
calculating strategies‟ as well as associating them with daily life problems.

Mastering them is one of the keys to progressing in an understanding of math and, specifically, of
algebra. Electronic calculators have made these (and other) operations simple to perform, but these
devices can also create a dependency that makes really understanding mathematics quite difficult.
Calculators can be a handy tool for checking answers, but if you rely too heavily on one, you may deprive
yourself of the kind of rigorous mental exercises that will help you not just to do math, but to fully
understand what you are doing.

People in the 21st century live in a technology and the media driven environment, marked by various
characteristics, such as access to abundance of information changes in technology tools, and make individual
contribution on an unprecedented scale (Narquita et al. 2013). Current research in technology and mathematics
education has found electronic technologies—calculators and computers—are essential tools for teaching, learning,
and doing mathematics (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000; 24-25). With the advent of smart
phones, many of us now carry calculators in the pockets wherever they go. While some people think that children
should be taught to use calculators from the time they enter school, others fear that learning to use calculators will
rob children of the ability to do mental calculations. Much of the contentious atmosphere surrounding this issue
arises from using calculator or not using calculator. Though important, using calculator is only one of the methods in
computing. Even young children can use calculators to focus on the ideas behind computation rather than on the act
of calculating. Young students can learn to compare the calculator's messages to the reasonable answers they have
learned to expect from their evolving understanding of arithmetic. This statement was supported by Dick (1988,39)
also states in his article that ―Students using calculators possesses a better attitude toward mathematics than no
calculator students. Some students may have fears of the computational part of the problem, by allowing these

1
 Ridgewood School of Caloocan, Inc.
31 L27, Acacia St., Rainbow 5, Ph.2 Bagumbong,
Caloocan City

students to use calculators which make them more comfortable and therefore they spend more time on the thinking
part of the problem instead of worrying about computation mistakes.

SITUATION

During the discussion in General Mathematics 11 about the Operation of Functions, the teacher
observed that many students of Grade 11 section Blaise have difficulties in multiplying and dividing
numbers, even though the numbers is in form of single digit. Days are pass the teacher saw that some
students have big problems about the four-fundamental operation of Mathematics.

SOLUTION

Basic math skills are mastered in elementary school. They are based mainly on proficiency in
basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers,
decimals, and fractions. There are a lot of articles, books, and reports with explanations why these basic
math skills are so important. As an example, here are two quotes from academic papers: According to the
research by Harvard professor Tom Loveless:

“Basic skills are necessary to advance in math (Students must learn arithmetic so that they can move
on to more demanding mathematics—algebra, geometry, calculus)”

“Basic skills predict adult earnings. …A growing body of research has documented that the skills and
knowledge students learn in school is correlated with success later in life”

A survey done by The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development,  published in March
2013, states: “Math proficiency is a strong predictor of positive outcomes for young adults. It influences
their ability to participate in post-secondary education and their expected future earnings”.

Also, students need the basic math in order to do high school and university courses. University teachers
complain they are getting students with weaker math skills each year and more students need to take
remedial courses once they enroll (that means extra costs, lower earnings, and limited employment
choices)

If you have difficulty performing the basic operations for simple numbers, one way to improve is through
the use of flash cards. Even cutting up a sheet of paper into sections is sufficient; just write the numbers
and an operation on one side (such as 3 8) and the answer (24, for our example) on the other. In this
way, you can practice your math skills without simply relying on a calculator. (But if you need the
calculator to accurately make your flash cards, by all means, use one!) We assume you understand basic
arithmetic, but if you are at all lacking in this area, you should be able to bring yourself up to speed with a
little time and practice.

Another way to improve the student’s ability and learning in the four fundamental operations is by means
of making an activity like Window Card, the teacher will give the card to the students to let them to
answer those problems.

https://www.teacherswithapps.com/math-proficiency-important-master-basic-skills/