What does “number sense” refer to in math education?

"Number sense" encompasses a broad understanding and intuitive feeling for numbers and their relationships. This concept involves recognizing quantities, understanding how numbers work together, and making connections between different mathematical concepts. It allows students to estimate, make reasonable guesses, and approach problems flexibly rather than simply relying on memorization or rote procedures.

Having number sense means a student can assess the reasonableness of an answer, understand place value, and grasp basic arithmetic principles. This foundational skill is crucial for more advanced mathematical reasoning and problem-solving as it helps learners make sense of math in real-life contexts.

In contrast, the other options focus on more narrow or specific skills: memorizing formulas does not promote a deeper understanding of number relationships; performing calculations quickly may overlook the importance of understanding what those calculations represent; and drawing graphs accurately, while a valuable skill, does not capture the broader grasp of numbers and their relationships that “number sense” implies.