Ah, the struggle is real! Regardless of our accomplishments, nothing quite compares to the feeling of staring blankly at a sixth-grade math worksheet. Surely, we learned this stuff at some point, right? Perhaps it was tucked away in my brain, only to be overshadowed by my vivid recollection of every episode of The Office.
I genuinely admire my son’s passion for math. He’s not just decent at it; he shines because of the way he’s being taught and the amazing guidance from his teacher, Mr. Adams. I can’t help but think that if I had a teacher like him, my understanding of concepts like the distributive property would have stuck around longer than my memories of school lunches.
Here’s something I firmly believe: no one should ever tell a child, “You won’t use this again.” To spark more interest in math and science among kids, let’s swap out those talent shows on TV for math competitions. It’s clear that while many Americans can sing, it might be time to promote some brainy talents instead.
The math problems below may not be too tricky… once you conquer your fear of them or decode what x or y represents. My colleague, Sarah, managed to crack them in just 20 minutes—now I view her as a math genius and will definitely choose her as my partner for future projects. But let’s be real; after a long, exhausting day, when all you want is to unwind and catch up on your favorite news show, you’ll wish your child can handle it on their own. If not, you might just find yourself messaging Mr. Adams to brush up on those math skills.
While we’d all like to glance at our kids’ homework and say, “Good luck with that,” perhaps it’s time for a little refresher! Test your skills against my son’s homework below. If you find yourself struggling, it might be time to consider a tutor—rest assured, I won’t be bringing a ruler!
Definition: The Distributive Property is…
When would you use the distributive property?
- a. 5 (x-8) = 15
- b. 12 + 3 (n+2) = 27
- c. -4(x+3) = 8
- d. 1/2(x-14) = 3
- e. 4 + 2 (1 + x) = 12
Answers:
- a. x = 11
- b. n = 3
- c. x = -5
- d. x = 20
- e. x = 3
Originally published on Feb. 19, 2015, this article reminds us that no matter how far we’ve come, there’s always room to grow—even in math! If you’re looking for more information, check out this other blog post. And if you are in need of a reputable source for at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom has you covered. For a deeper dive into fertility, I recommend visiting Science Daily for excellent insights.
In summary, tackling sixth-grade math can feel daunting, but with the right mindset and resources, it can also be an opportunity for growth. Embrace the challenge, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed.
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