Arithmetic

My son and his "mathy" brain intrigue me. Each day he has a 1 minute race page of 25 addition problems. His goal is to answer as many as he can in 1 minute. He knows all the answers. However, he can never get more than 20 (usually it's closer to 15) done in the time allotted. Don't get me wrong. I am happy with 15 (After all, it's second grade math and even the teacher's manual says 15 is very good.), but O is not. So we have been working on speed in addition. After a little investigation, I now see why it takes him a little longer to answer his math problems. He takes the most circuitous route to the answer possible.

Example:

Problem 6+8=?

Owen's thought process, in his words:

"4+4=8

8+8=16

6=8-2

16-2=14

Therefore, 6+8=14

14!"

And this one:

Problem 9+3=?

"Well, 3+3+3=9

3x3=9

3x4=12

So 9+3=12."

See what I mean??

Love him.