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Hungry 9 (lemmy.likes.cat)
submitted 2 months ago by sag@lemm.ee to c/curatedtumblr@sh.itjust.works
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[-] Emmie@lemm.ee 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Okay this is nice and all but how do people do 3974* 438 mentally, without paper? And bigger and some outright freaks seem to do it in an instant

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

For me:

3974 * 438 -> 4000 * 438 - 26*438 ->
4000 * 438 - 26*440 - 26*2 -> 4000 * 438 - 20*440 - 6*440 - 26*2

And so on, and I'd do some of the intermediate calculations as I go (e.g. 20*440 and 6*440).

But that's only really needed if I need a precise answer. If I can get away with an estimate, I'll simplify it even more:

4000 * 430 ~= 43 * 4 * 10000 = 86 * 2 + 10000 = 1,720,000

Actual answer: 1,740,612. 4000 * 440 would be easier (I like multiplying 4s), but I know it would overshoot, so I round one up and the other down. Close enough for something like estimating how much a large quantity of something kind of expensive would cost (i.e. if my company gave everyone a hot tub or something).

[-] Tarquinn2049@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Depends how much neuron density you have in the part of the brain that handles this. It's mostly about memory, being able to accurately and quickly remember all the little steps you have already done and what the results of those steps were. Then just keep going one digit pair at a time keeping in mind all the results so you can deal with the carry overs.

But the whole reason we can focus on teaching everyone shortcuts for smaller math now is because we do literally always have a calculator on us now. So while it's still good to know how to do bigger math more efficiently, you'll never catch up to a calculator anymore. It's more important that they know the foundational concept well enough to move on to the next step now rather than practicing doing big math faster and faster. Can leave that to the individuals with talent in the area.

this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2024
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