They use mental math and estimation in working with percents and explore these concepts in conjunction with consumer mathematics, statistical graphs and geometry. In addition, students learn to summarize data using a single number such as the mean, median, mode or range. They decide when each of these methods is appropriate and make decisions by interpreting data given in one of more of these forms. Studnts learn to approxiamate the probability of a single event by using a theoretical model. They will use probabilities to make predictions, and draw tree diagrams as well as making an organized list.
Emphasis is placed on the use of a number line, as an aid to understanding integer concepts.
Students also construct graphs and use all four quadrants of the coordinate plane. Reviews of rounding, comparing, and estimating skills are integrated throughout this section. In addition, thinking patterns based on place value are addressed. In this section, estimation and subtraction with zeros are emphasized to prevent errors and to work for efficiency. Strategies for mental computation precede the development of the skills of rounding to the nearest ten to estimate sums and differences when working with US currency.