The "New Math" introduced into American Schools included arithmetic using base 8 (rather than the usual base 10). What value does "123" (base 8) have in regular decimal numbers?

What was wrong with the old math

williamrlaughlin, well, I, too, have been around for decades, 70+ of them and what I know is when New Math came along, I could not help my kids with it. And I have a BS degree and was a successful engineer for 35 years without knowing New Math. It just isn't a requirement for what I did (back in the Dark Ages). And if you studied it and did not teach, how many times did you need it since it's popularity?

They are teaching the new math in schools. But what do these poor children do when they get into the real world?

I'm with the majority, the new math stinks

New math is and always been a real dumb idea. The old math is much better. If it is not broken, please do not try to fix it or make it better.

Unless the business world begins using “base 8”, the new Math has no practical use!

Betty Fortunato, I think it goes along the same path as saluting the Flag and going to Church. I'm glad I am 75, and nor 25. In another 50 years...things will be really, really hard to accept.

I think those who came up with new math weren't very good at old math.

Betty Fortunato, nothing as far as I'm concerned. I think it was necessary for future computers and competing with Russia.

I was taught "new math" in 7th grade in 1960. I think it was base 1, where all the numbers were a combination of 0 and 1, posdibly the basis for computer punchcards, but don't remember anything else.

What is really happening to sane creative persons.

I hate the New Math! Didn't even try this. 🤨👎

sanman, that happened to me too. Told my daughter I have no idea how to use this "tic tac toe box thing" to do math so I showed her the way I learned. All answers were correct, should have gotten 100%. Paper came back with a big zero because she didn't use the right method

Is this what my kids refer to as common core math? I tried to help one daughter when she was in 4th grade, but she kept telling me I was doing it wrong, even though the answers were correct. I told her I could help her the way I learned, but the way her teacher was making her do her math was beyond me! Several years later my youngest comes home with a paper from her teacher: "Please ignore all the common core things in your child's schoolbook. If you help your child, please do use standard math." At least I can help her!

That's not NEW math. I learned how to do different bases in HS 40+ years ago

Exactly my sentiments, the new math system is a sure fire mystery to me. I helped my 11 yr. old daughter with her multiplication 5 th. grade homework, showed her how to get the right answer.Then the next day she took the test, got the equation correct using my method, but the teacher marked it incorrect because she didn't use the "BLOCK METHOD". Don't that beat all, the teacher is always unavailable, they have no tutors, and I had no idea what the BLOCK METHOD was or is,so I did my best. Still she got the right answer but because she didn't use the approved method, was marked incorrect

I bet that "new math" works great in the real world when one is buying groceries, a car, or a home.

Marti Carr Bonham, exactly

Thanks Majority I had no clue didn't like math and still don't . Now balancing my check book and cooking and geometry is another thing all together though all use mathematics to do

Brenda Underwood, other way around. 1 x 64 + 2 x 16 + 3..Like base 10, the numder to the left is the largest.