Getting worse at mental arithmetic

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the decline of mental arithmetic skills among high school students due to reliance on calculators. A participant expresses concern about their diminishing ability to perform calculations in their head, despite previously being recognized as a math prodigy. Recommendations include reading "Secrets of Mental Math" by Arthur Benjamin, which offers clever techniques for improving mental calculation skills. Participants agree that utilizing such resources is beneficial and not a form of cheating.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
  • Familiarity with mental calculation techniques
  • Interest in improving cognitive math skills
  • Willingness to practice regularly
NEXT STEPS
  • Read "Secrets of Mental Math" by Arthur Benjamin to learn effective mental calculation strategies
  • Explore "Lightning Calculation and Other 'Mathemagic'" by Arthur Benjamin for advanced techniques
  • Practice mental arithmetic exercises daily to enhance calculation speed and accuracy
  • Engage in math games or apps designed to improve mental math skills
USEFUL FOR

High school students, educators, parents, and anyone looking to enhance their mental arithmetic abilities and reduce reliance on calculators.

FuturePhysicist
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Hello I have a question reguarding human calculation. I'm in high school and I have been called a "math whiz" when it comes to subjects like algebra or calculus. But my school has kids using calculators so much that I haven't been using my head much for calculations. Because of this, I feel like an idiot every time I do arithmetic in my head. I was practically a math prodigy when I was little but now I feel like a fool. I was thinking about reading the book "Secrets of Mental Math" by Arthur Benjamin, but i felt like that would be cheating or something.
P.S. I don't even remember multiplication or division on paper!
 
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FuturePhysicist said:
I was thinking about reading the book "Secrets of Mental Math" by Arthur Benjamin, but i felt like that would be cheating or something.
That's a fun book. Not cheating at all, just some clever methods. (That require practice.)

I put "mental arithmetic" in a completely different category from algebra and calculus. Good clean fun.
 
Doc Al said:
That's a fun book. Not cheating at all, just some clever methods. (That require practice.)

I put "mental arithmetic" in a completely different category from algebra and calculus. Good clean fun.
Okay, looks like I will be adding that book to my shelf then. Thank you.
 
Arthur Benjamin: Lightning calculation and other "Mathemagic"
 
Doc Al said:
Arthur Benjamin: Lightning calculation and other "Mathemagic"

Wow.
 

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