Math is Figure-Out-Able!
Math teacher educator Pam Harris and her cohost Kim Montague answer the question: If not algorithms, then what? Join them for ~15-30 minutes every Tuesday as they cast their vision for mathematics education and give actionable items to help teachers teach math that is Figure-Out-Able. See www.MathisFigureOutAble.com for more great resources!
Math is Figure-Out-Able!
#MathStratChat - May 27, 2026
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In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 27, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Pam 0:00
Hey, fellow math-ers! Welcome to the podcast where Math is Figure-Out-Able. I'm Pam.
Kim 0:07
And I'm Kim.
Pam 0:07
And this episode is a MathStratChat episode where we chat about our math strategies. Every Wednesday evening, I throw out a math problem on social media. People from around the world chat about the strategies they use and comment on each other's thinking.
Kim 0:20
Alright, so this week, our problem was 1,800 times 250. How would you solve this problem? Pause, solve it however you'd like, and come on back. The problem is 1800 times 250.
Pam 0:34
Can I go first?
Kim 0:35
Yeah.
Pam 0:36
Alright, I'm going to do what you did last week.
Kim 0:38
Okay.
Pam 0:39
So, I think I want to halve 1800 to get 900 and double 250 to get 500. Now, we have an equivalent problem. 900 times 500 is... I could do that one. I'm going to double and halve or halve and double again. No, double and halve a double. So, half of 900 is 450. And double 500 is 1,000. 450 times 1,000 is 400... Now, I have to think for a second. 450 times 1,000 is 450,000.
Kim 1:12
Yep.
Pam 1:12
Yes, yes. That even makes sense. That even makes sense that 450 times 1,000 would be 450,000.
Kim 1:16
I thought you were going to say, "And that's the best kind of problem where the where the problem is the answer."
Pam 1:21
Well, I just had to think about a little bit.
Kim 1:24
Okay, I... Similarly, but kind of a little different. I thought about... I saw the 250, and I wanted it to be times 4, so I...
Pam 1:34
You went right there.
Kim 1:36
Well, I factored the 1800 and I said I know that 1800 is 450 times 4.
Pam 1:42
Ah.
Kim 1:42
And so, then I did 4 times 250 is 1,000 so then I wrote 450 times 1,000 is 450,000.
Pam 1:52
Am I right that you knew that 1800 was 450 times 4 because you kind of thought about 900 times 2, and 450 times 4. (unclear).
Kim 2:00
I actually thought about the 18. I thought about like 18, 9, 4.5. But yes. I kind of, kind of did a little half, half.
Pam 2:08
Nice.
Kim 2:08
Sure enough. Alright, so we love to hear what you think about the problems. Join us on MathStratChat and let us know how you think about the problems and comment on each other's strategies.
Pam 2:19
Y'all, I'll post the problems on Wednesday around 7:00 p.m. Central. When you answer, tag me and use the hashtag MathStratChat, then join us here to hear how we're thinking about the problem. Y'all, thanks for being part of the Math is Figure-Out-Able movement. Math is Figure-Out-Able!