The Common Core State Standards teach students the algorithm for multi-digit addition and subtraction in 4th grade. But some experts say it should be taught sooner.

While it may sound daunting, partial quotient algorithm (or partial quotient division) is a method for dividing numbers that's much more accessible than the familiar but more abstract long division.

This study analyzed children's use of mental computation strategies and the standard algorithm on multi-digit subtractions. Fifty-eight Flemish 4th graders of varying mathematical achievement level ...