In short, the answer is yes, it is still important to memorize math facts. Calculators are useful tools for performing fast calculations and are widely available.
But you shouldn’t do away with knowing your math facts by heart for a number of critical reasons. Here they are.
While calculators can perform complex calculations quickly and accurately, they cannot replace the need for a basic understanding of mathematical concepts and the ability to perform basic calculations quickly and accurately in one’s head or on paper.
Complete reliance on calculators makes you much slower
Accomplishing real-life tasks becomes hard and error-prone if you must whip out a calculator for even simple calculations such as 53 minus 8 or 13 plus 6. In addition, using a calculator for basic computations will result in our brains becoming less and less capable of computing anything ourselves.
Many tasks would simply become out of reach because the calculations would appear too complex.
So imagine how agonizingly slow your progress would be if you faced more complex problems with that habit. It would be torture for you (and other people working with you!) whenever you need to make an investment purchase decision, attempt to calculate odds and savings, or estimate a project budget.
No way to catch errors
Calculators will give incorrect answers due to input errors. When you are trying to determine whether a result from a calculator makes sense, or when you need to estimate an answer quickly, you will need to be able to perform basic arithmetic calculations in your head.
Without the ability to compute a rough expected answer in your head, there is no way to catch any errors in your calculator’s results.
In addition, having math facts memorized can help you work more efficiently and effectively in a wide range of fields, such as science, engineering, finance, and even everyday activities like grocery shopping or budgeting.
Calculators can’t make up for math comprehension
Math facts are the basic building blocks or foundation of overall math fluency. They are the building blocks of all higher-level mathematics.
Furthermore, memorizing math facts can help develop cognitive skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and reasoning, which can be beneficial in many areas of life. It can also build confidence and provide the critical foundation for learning more advanced math concepts.
This is why children need to memorize math facts when they are ready for them. With a solid mastery of math facts, they are better able to understand and solve more complex problems, in and out of the classroom.
Additionally, having math facts memorized means fewer calculator computations, resulting in fewer steps, fewer errors, and faster results. This can be particularly important in time-limited situations such as standardized tests. Young people with math facts fluency have that extra advantage for university entrance exams and job employment intelligence tests.
Conclusion: Knowing math facts by heart is still critically important
Calculators can only help us perform long calculations. But for quick, everyday estimates of expected results, returns, monetary charges, etc., having math facts fluency makes life even easier. Both adults and children need continuous math facts practice to maintain that fluency. It builds a strong foundation in math and helps develop problem-solving skills that last a lifetime!
