I remember when I was about 10, my mom telling me how important it was to memorized the multiplication tables because I wouldn’t always have an adding machine available. Less than 10 years later, the first cheap pocket calculators were at Radio Shack.
Next time you are at a store wait until the clerk has input your payment, if cash, then give them correct change. Then sit back and watch them try to figure the math. It is frightening.
Nope. I despised math growing up, once I got to geometry. However, Base-10 math is not a written math and algorithm math isn’t supposed to be mental math. I will never teach base-10 math because I know my daughter isn’t “wired” to see numbers that way. She’s taught the way she responds best to. That’s why home education students test higher than public school kids. They are taught in a way that works for them; not for the majority.
We must be referring to 2 different systems. I studied mathematics at university and its definition is built entirely on a 10 number representation based on the decimal system, but I digress. Maybe there is a new base 10 of which I am unaware.
Like a lot of PP I grew up without a calculator in my pocket and if I have to go to the supermarket, I do the lot in my head by rounding up or down, I am rarely more than a few quid out.
I use to do it, but not many and it is sometimes painful watching when it comes to say £10.20 and you give them a £20 note, they put that in the till, so its gives them £9.80 and then you say oh hang on I have the 20p and then see the fear on their face as they have to try and figure it out
Most of my friends…we try to be in touch with it…calculators and phones are not allowed neither in our classes nor in exam halls. So we have to. But if we see a big calculation and we are at home…I use calculator to make it fast so I won’t waste much time on it.
Yep. I sure can. 🙂
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I am amazed at the number of people who cannot without a calculator.
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I know. It’s pretty sad isn’t it?
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Yes.
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It is becoming a lost skill. lol
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I remember when I was about 10, my mom telling me how important it was to memorized the multiplication tables because I wouldn’t always have an adding machine available. Less than 10 years later, the first cheap pocket calculators were at Radio Shack.
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lol. Radio Shack, I remember that store.
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Yes. My kids can too!
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Good for you! They are better off than most people these days! lol
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yep
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😉 Have you ever watched someone have to use a calculator on their phone for very simple math?
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Yes!
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Were you taught using Common Core?
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No.
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Yep. I used to be an accountant. HATED it!!! But I can do math in my head, yes.
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Can you count-back money when giving change?
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Sure. Haven’t worked a cash register since high school though. 😃
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Next time you are at a store wait until the clerk has input your payment, if cash, then give them correct change. Then sit back and watch them try to figure the math. It is frightening.
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Oh, I know. It short circuits them. 😃
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Yeah…I ask the husband.
Boring household. I write, he calculates.
Why would anyone have a Masters Degree in Mathematics? Each to his/her own I suppose.
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I was a math major in college for 3 years and left the program because the jobs seemed like they would be boring. But you can do simple math, correct?
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yes. Probably better than Norm.
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Yes, I’m old old school
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Ever witnessed someone who couldn’t do simple math without a device? Obviously, I’m not talking about those with some type of challenge.
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Absolutely. My education was pre-common core. My daughter learns math as I did. Not this new crap.
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You majored in math?
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Nope. I despised math growing up, once I got to geometry. However, Base-10 math is not a written math and algorithm math isn’t supposed to be mental math. I will never teach base-10 math because I know my daughter isn’t “wired” to see numbers that way. She’s taught the way she responds best to. That’s why home education students test higher than public school kids. They are taught in a way that works for them; not for the majority.
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I’m curious, if you don’t use the decimal system then how do you teach mathematics?
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We use decimals, not base-10…different from each other
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We must be referring to 2 different systems. I studied mathematics at university and its definition is built entirely on a 10 number representation based on the decimal system, but I digress. Maybe there is a new base 10 of which I am unaware.
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I never use a calculator. I don’t know how. 🙂 !!!
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You don’t know how to use a calculator?
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Yes
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In this day-and-age you are in the minority.
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Yes and so does my son.
Like a lot of PP I grew up without a calculator in my pocket and if I have to go to the supermarket, I do the lot in my head by rounding up or down, I am rarely more than a few quid out.
Although self scan helps
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How often do you see someone operating a register in a store who can do the math without using the device?
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I use to do it, but not many and it is sometimes painful watching when it comes to say £10.20 and you give them a £20 note, they put that in the till, so its gives them £9.80 and then you say oh hang on I have the 20p and then see the fear on their face as they have to try and figure it out
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I watch this happen every week in stores and it is painful.
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It really is and personally I think its a skill we shouldn’t lose just because a computer can do it
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Yes. I have to. If I don’t keep the practice, it would be hard to finish the maths paper within 3 hours.
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Many kids in the States struggle with simple math without using a device.
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Most of my friends…we try to be in touch with it…calculators and phones are not allowed neither in our classes nor in exam halls. So we have to. But if we see a big calculation and we are at home…I use calculator to make it fast so I won’t waste much time on it.
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