For some students, math class is a huge challenge and for most of these kids, it’s about to get a whole lot more difficult. Common Core has been adopted in all schools across the Unites States, mines just five states, giving the qualifying school $4.35 billion federal program. But what exactly is Common Core, and why is it giving students (and parents) so much grief?

In a nutshell, Common Core teaches a mathematical process in which math problems are made “easier” through number bonds. For example, instead of doing plain old seven plus seven, Common Core tells students to break down one of the sevens in to three plus four. That gives us seven plus three plus four. From there, the three would be added to the remaining seven making it ten. Now we have ten plus four, which gives us 14; the same as seven plus seven. The idea is that practicing math with tens helps us to find solutions more quickly and efficiently, and yet students are finding it a hard concept to grasp.

Surprisingly, this “new math” is anything but new. As adults, adding and subtracting numbers by first adding and subtracting the numbers within the problem are something we do everyday. Leaving tips, splitting the bill, and cashier’s math all have a basis in Common Core math.

Take a look at this infographic for more on the hugely controversial education standard Common Core. What are your thoughts on the new teaching model? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to like and share with your friends!