The dismally low quality of mathematics education in South Africa has been widely reported, and is generally acknowledged as being critical. A common problem amongst students who come to me is that they do not understand fractions. Understanding fractions is essential as it forms the foundation for many other areas of mathematics such as:
- percentages,
- ratios,
- rational and irrational numbers,
- proportions,
- weighted averages,
- probability,
- statistics,
- trigonometry,
- financial mathematics, etc.
The book started as notes for my nephew, Jayden (nine years old at the time), and for his mother and grandmother who asked me to help explain fractions to him. The fact that neither his mother nor grandmother could adequately explain fractions reflects the extent of the problem of mathematics education. The lack of understanding of fractions is at least three generations deep. Even his teacher could not adequately explain fractions, thus contributing to this crisis extending into yet another generation.
While writing the notes, it became apparent that many other parents experience the same difficulties as Jayden’s mother and grandmother. It seemed that they too would benefit from these notes.
Through working with children and with people whose first language is not English, I have always consciously ensured that what I say or write is understandable to the intended recipients. That focus is continued in the book, which, I promise, is free from complicated mathematical mumbo jumbo, while at the same time being solidly consistent with the principles of mathematics.
This website presents extracts of each chapter in the related book called Fractions For Parents. The chapters are listed on the side of this page.
If you would like to buy the book to see all of the content, please click here.
For reviews of the book, please click here.