Getting worse at mental arithmetic

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High school students are increasingly reliant on calculators, leading to a decline in mental arithmetic skills, even among those previously considered math prodigies. The discussion highlights the feeling of inadequacy when performing basic calculations without a calculator. Reading "Secrets of Mental Math" by Arthur Benjamin is suggested as a way to improve mental calculation skills, with participants agreeing that it is not cheating but rather a valuable resource. Mental arithmetic is viewed as a distinct and enjoyable skill separate from more advanced math subjects. Engaging with such resources can help regain confidence and proficiency in mental calculations.
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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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