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This is called the "new math". My kid is in fifth grade and we get stuff like this all of the time. It's a new system mandated by the state where they are less concerned with getting the right answer and more concerned with "understanding the math". It's less of asking "what is 3 times 3" and more of asking "Why does three sets of 3 equal 12?".
The truth is our school district is fed up with this "new math" and currently ninety percent of the kids in our school district are failing it. The teachers don't understand it. So the teachers at this point are making the kids do the math, and passing them anyhow.
What's the point? Math is a waste. When was the last time you needed to long division at the supermarket? Better yet - If you had to do long division at the supermarket, what are the odds that you have the caculator on your cell phone handy?
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