Math Fluency/Mental Arithmetic Qui
To the Instructor:
Below are two “mental arithmetic” quizzes. The objective to help instructors to
evaluate how much review of pre-requisite math topics would be advisable in a general
chemistry or AP course.
The quiz can be administered at any time, but early in the course is recommended.
Both cognitive science and chemistry education studies indicate a strong correlation
between general/AP chemistry success and “computational fluency:” The ability to
solve simple calculations using quick and accurate recall of memorized math facts and
algorithms -- math without a calculator.
This “no calculator” quiz could be given as a “stand alone” 15 minute quiz or as a “Part
2” after a Part I “with calculator” quiz is collected.
As a measure of “math automaticity,” the quiz should be time limited (with an
announcement of 5 minutes remaining suggested).
For a shorter quiz, some questions can be Xed out on quiz copies -- or by direction to
students before the quiz begins.
Two different quizzes are provided that should have the same in difficulty. If test
security is an issue, both versions may be handed out in an alternating order.
The quiz may be a better measure what students can do if they are told the “quiz
counts,” and if it does count to at least some extent.
Feedback is welcome to feedback@ChemReview.Net
z
This quiz is a part of the activity packet at www.ChemReview.Net/MentalMath.PDF
Your Name: ____________________________________________ Section __________________
You have 15 minutes to complete this pre-quiz.
You may NOT use a calculator. Show needed work on this paper, but circle your answers.
Multiply
1.
78
× 96
2.
(0.50 x 10
3.
(2.50 x 10
―6
―9
5
5.
6.
23
10
x 10
10
x 10
―1
9.0 x 10
2.0 x 10
b.
0
47 =
=
―6
―18
=
―5
Write these values as their decimal equivalents:
7. 1/8 =
9.
If
8. 1/50 =
P V
P V
T
T
1 1 =
1
2 2
2
then, in symbols:
T
2 =
17
) (3.0 x 10 ) =
4. Write these answers in fixed decimal notation (as regular numbers).
a. 140/10,000 =
21
) (6.4 x 10 ) =
10. Write the base 10 log of
11. (3.0 x 10
─7 2
)
a.
1000
b.
=
―12
12. The square root of 64 x 10
=
Enter the remaining coefficients that balance these:
13.
8 NH + ______ O !
14.
12 NH + ______ O !
3
2
3
2
______ NO + _____ H O
2
______ NO
2
+ _____ H O
2
0.0001
Your Name: ____________________________________________ Section __________________
You have 15 minutes to complete this quiz.
You may NOT use a calculator. Show needed work on this paper, but circle your answers.
Multiply
87
× 96
1.
2.
3.
(0.50 x 10
(3.50 x 10
―4
21
) (3.2 x 10 ) =
―9
17
) (2.0 x 10 ) =
4. Write these answers in fixed decimal notation (as regular numbers).
a. 24/10,000 =
7
5.
10
x 10
10
x 10
―1
6.
7.0 x 10
2.0 x 10
0
b.
―23
―6
42 =
=
―18
=
―7
Write these values as their decimal equivalents:
7. 1/8 =
9.
If
8. 1/20 =
P V
P V
T
T
1 1 =
then, in symbols:
2 2
1
1 =
2
10. Write the base 10 log of
11. (2.0 x 10
T
─8 2
)
a.
10,000
b. 0.1
=
―18
12. The square root of 49 x 10
=
Enter the remaining coefficients that balance these:
13.
8 NH + ______ O !
3
2
______ NO
2
+ _____ H O
2
14.
12 NH + ______ O !
3
2
______ NO + _____ H O
2