From: Gail (for Teacher2Teacher Service)
Date: Jul 25, 2000 at 07:36:40
Subject: Re: Decomposing numbers

I have searched for this term in several places, and haven't found it
anywhere.  I do remember that it was used to describe (define?) the division
algorithm (a "decomposition" algorithm), which makes me think it has to do
with beginning with an amount and then subtracting to get smaller and smaller
amounts.

That doesn't really seem to fit with the two examples you show above.  
Perhaps the intent of the examples was to say that a number can be 
"decomposed" in a variety of ways, and that your students need to be able to 
recognize that.

Sorry not to be of more help.  Perhaps your school system's math supervisor
can shed a bit more light on this.

 -Gail, for the Teacher2Teacher service

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