This summer, battle lines were drawn over a simple math problem: 8 ÷ 2(2 + 2) = ? If you divide 8 by 2 first, you get 16, but if you multiply 2 by (2 + 2) first, you get 1. So, which answer is right?

Awhile back I believe that you had an article on multiplication for those students who are not learning in traditional ways. You mentioned using three paper plates and five blocks to show 3 x 5 = 15 ...