Schools are making kids retarded

[SephYuyX]

Oh I agree, the basics need to be taught, but after a certian point it's just pointless because everyone should be using a calc.

[Charla]

I was making the point that both ways get to the eventual goal, which is to learn to multiply mentally. As such, my now-edited mistake proves that I am more comfortable multiplying mentally.

[rex_garuda]

i prefer the kumon method and just memorize every goddamn answer for 2 digit multiplications LOL

[Ksandra]

i prefer the kumon method and just memorize every goddamn answer for 2 digit multiplications LOL

we use kumon at my learning center, and let me tell you kids do mental math WAY faster that way than other kids who didn't use it.

So I still say this new way is just bs and really doesn't improve anything, and will slow down doing 45 X 4 versus the old way.

[Kaylia]

we use kumon at my learning center, and let me tell you kids do mental math WAY faster that way than other kids who didn't use it.

So I still say this new way is just bs and really doesn't improve anything, and will slow down doing 45 X 4 versus the old way.

The methods posted (or old one) are generally used for 3 digits and more. The only reason they do it on 2 digit number is to teach the kid how to use it.

[Ace-o-fire]

i prefer the kumon method and just memorize every goddamn answer for 2 digit multiplications LOL

best way to teach period.

[Odon]

I never understood why in Math I was never allowed to use a calculator until I got into the more advanced classes.

It's fucking asinine.

I'M GOING TO HAVE A FUCKING CALCULATOR IN MY PLACE OF WORK YOU FUCKING CUNTS SO YOU SHOULD HAVE LET ME USE ONE IN SCHOOL!

Also, when I finally was allowed to use a calculator in class, I wasn't allowed to write my own programs to do the stuff faster..

Do you know what the reason was? Because the other kids didn't know how to do it so it wasn't fair.

I DON'T GIVE A FUCK IF ITS NOT FAIR ITS NOT MY FAULT I'M SMART! Stupid fucking cunt math teachers.









Sorry, I really hated them.

[Jotaru]

While I agree (for the most part) about a calculator, I had a GF once who went to a school where they let you use calculators from the very beginning. She couldn't do very basic math eventually because she was convinced she couldn't, thus she wouldn't try. She'd bust out a calculator to add up how much a soda + sandwich would cost, for instance.. even in instances where its .99 + .99. Its learning those little tricks you design (shortcuts) that make life easier. For instance, that 30x15 example... I just do 15x3, and multiply by ten. I don't recall that being forced into my head, its how i improvise it, /shrug. If you dont know how to do 3x8 cuz you use a calculator.. I guess they're trying to stretch that 'learning' process further to allow you to critically think, or something.

[Ashira]

Yeah, with jotaru and shortcuts there, but I'd do 30x12=360 and 30x3=90, so 30x15=450 - or i'd swap and go 3x150 and win anyway. ;D

By the time you're hitting Honors Algebra and such, wouldn't the more shortcutty methods have been taught as well?

[pohibaba]

I would be a much better speller if Spell Check had never been invented.

[Kaeko]

Anyone here learn all this on the abacus? /

Kumon can make kids really really good at this too.

[Kaylia]

I never understood why in Math I was never allowed to use a calculator until I got into the more advanced classes.

It's fucking asinine.

I pretty much said why 3 posts ago, but doing basics arithmetics help your brain stay in shape. You won't suddently forget how to add up numbers if you use a calculator, but I'm certain it will help you develop certain aspect of your brain.

[Waef]

Wow, so they teach you this new method where you have to draw out a giant fucking graph, to get the same answer you would in 1/3 of the time using the traditional method? Shit, I would be pissed if I learned this method and later found out I could have learned the traditional method which is faster.

[Correction]

Wow, so they teach you this new method where you have to draw out a giant fucking graph, to get the same answer you would in 1/3 of the time using the traditional method? Shit, I would be pissed if I learned this method and later found out I could have learned the traditional method which is faster.

I think you'd get over it once you enter real life and wind up not using 95% of what you were taught in grade school, but figured out that the study habits were more important than the rote memorization anyway.

[Kaylia]

Wow, so they teach you this new method where you have to draw out a giant fucking graph, to get the same answer you would in 1/3 of the time using the traditional method? Shit, I would be pissed if I learned this method and later found out I could have learned the traditional method which is faster.

It's not longer...Half of the people in this thread went to page 3, saw the big graph and got scared. There is nothing complicated about it.

[Waef]

I think it is longer, because you do the exact same thing as traditional multiplication, except you also need to draw a graph. Maybe the 1/3 was an exaggeration, but I don't see how this would save any time, just make it slightly easier if big numbers scare you.

[Korietsu]

Oh I agree, the basics need to be taught, but after a certian point it's just pointless because everyone should be using a calc.

When you're stuck on a desert island with a Texas A&M Student, you'll need the UT student to save your ass without his calculator.

I know that in the work place you have the need for a calculator for efficiency, however, on the fly might require you to make a guesswork calculation or one that you don't readily have a calculator for, IE @ a clients place etc. However, I do happen to own a TI-89, and I love the thing to death, given the tools it has for my classes (EE/ME Pro, Calculus tools for random stuff). However, as much as I hate math, I might as well know how to do it without the tools given. In fact, my HS and my college pretty much banned me from using my 89, that they recommended buying for the AP test during the classes leading up to it. 50% of the time I had to use a TI-84 or scientific, and in college, scientific only.

[Saphirea]

Homeschooling...

[Ksandra]

The methods posted (or old one) are generally used for 3 digits and more. The only reason they do it on 2 digit number is to teach the kid how to use it.

You seem to keep ignoring the fact that they are going to teach kids this for 1 digit and 2 digit numbers too.

I don't care if it wasn't intended for that, but that's what they're doing.

[Cyn]

I would be a much better speller if Spell Check had never been invented.

Had wrist calculators been more popular, then learning to not be intelligent may have caught on a little better.