Number Operations and Number Sense

Approximately 20%-30% of the questions on the GED Mathematics Test assess knowledge of basic number operations and number sense. This includes such things as:

• Representing and using whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, ratios, proportions, exponents, roots, and scientific notation.
• Recognizing equivalencies and order relations (for example, largest to smallest).
• electing the appropriate operations to solve problems (for example, When should I divide?).
• Calculating with mental math, pencil and paper, and a scientific calculator.
• Using estimation to solve problems and assess the reasonableness of an answer.

Mental math and estimation skills are important in not only number operations and number sense, but also in the other areas of the GED Mathematics Test. When you estimate, you use your number sense to find an answer or to check the reasonableness of an answer. This will require that you teach students to round numbers up and down, as well as to identify acceptable ranges when estimating.

How can you incorporate problem-solving and estimation skills? Let’s take a look.