Getting worse at mental arithmetic

  • Context: High School 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the challenges of mental arithmetic, particularly in the context of a high school student who feels their skills have diminished due to reliance on calculators. The conversation explores the potential benefits of resources like "Secrets of Mental Math" by Arthur Benjamin and the distinction between mental arithmetic and higher-level mathematics such as algebra and calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • A participant expresses concern about their declining mental arithmetic skills, feeling inadequate compared to their earlier abilities.
  • Some participants suggest that reading "Secrets of Mental Math" is not cheating but rather a way to learn clever methods that require practice.
  • There is a distinction made between mental arithmetic and subjects like algebra and calculus, with some participants viewing mental arithmetic as a different and enjoyable skill.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that using resources like "Secrets of Mental Math" can be beneficial, but there is no consensus on the implications of relying on such resources for improving mental arithmetic skills.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that mental arithmetic may require different techniques and practice compared to algebra and calculus, highlighting the potential for varying approaches to learning these skills.

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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