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Math Decoded
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Math Decoded
Explaining the Why Behind the Numbers and How They Operate



January 2026 | 256 pages | Corwin
Experience the joy of answering "why" in math class like never before

Mathematics often feels like a collection of disconnected rules, but what if you could uncover their underlying story? In Math Decoded: Explaining the Why Behind the Numbers and How They Operate, author James Tanton provides educators with a compelling and accessible guide to understanding the logic, purpose, and poetry behind numbers and arithmetic.

Move away from simply teaching formulas and procedures. Instead, discover the coherent and human story of mathematics that will enliven your classroom and deepen your own mathematical knowledge.

By addressing the "why" questions students frequently ask, this book offers clarity on tricky concepts such as dividing by zero, fractions, and negative numbers through these key features
  • Engaging Structure: Each chapter begins with a thought-provoking question, explores real-world scenarios, and culminates in bold insights and classroom activities.
  • Grade-Banded Tasks: Includes classroom activities for elementary to high school, ensuring relevance for multiple grade levels.
  • Comprehensive Resources: Accompanied by videos, supplemental essays, and practical tools to deepen the learning experience.
  • Accessible Style: Written in a friendly, relatable tone to explain mathematics’ most mystifying and rigorous topics.
With this book, educators will gain a newfound appreciation for the beauty, structure, and coherence of mathematics. Math Decoded will help you inspire your students to see math not just as a subject, but as an invitation to explore, discover, and think deeply about the joy of numbers.

 
About the Author
 
Acknowledgments
 
Introduction
 
Chapter 1: Counting
 
Chapter 2: Addition
 
Chapter 3: Negative Numbers
 
Chapter 4: Distributing the Negative Sign
 
Chapter 5: Subtraction
 
Chapter 6: Multiplication
 
Chapter 7: The Distributive Property
 
Chapter 8: Multiplication and Zero
 
Chapter 9: Multiplication and Negative Numbers
 
Chapter 10: Division
 
Chapter 11: The Reciprocal Numbers (The Building Blocks of Fractions)
 
Chapter 12: Fractions are Answers to Division Problems
 
Chapter 13: Multiplying Fractions
 
Chapter 14: Equivalent Fractions
 
Chapter 15: Dividing Fractions
 
Chapter 16: Adding and Subtracting Fractions
 
Chapter 17: Comparing Fractions
 
Chapter 18: Exponents
 
Chapter 19: Fractions as Decimals
 
Chapter 20: Not Every Number is a Fraction
 
Final Thought: Are there more Numbers
 
What's Next?

For instructors

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Paperback
ISBN: 9798348809287
$39.95