Some fractions are a part of everyday life; dimes, quarters, nickels, hours, minutes, seconds, etc. These are relatively easy to manage mainly because we deal with them so often. Everyone just “knows” that 1/2 is 0.5, and 1/4 is .25, and 1/10 is 0.1; we’ve had it ingrained in us through massive amounts of repetition. I go one step further; I can usually estimate the decimal equivalent of just about any fraction that comes up in my life. Super useful? Maybe not, but it has good show-off value, and I think it’s fun!
Continue reading Fractured Memories
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Ah, Mother’s Day. Admittedly, Math isn’t the first thing you think about when scrambling for that 1-800-Flowers phone number (I always forget that one) or that last box of chocolate from the drugstore. However, one of the memories that sticks in my mind most about my Mom is arguing with her about Math during dinner about .9 repeating and 1. Before you think we’re crazy, please keep in mind she’s a Math teacher, and I have some small interest in the subject myself. So here’s to you, Mom. I finally realized you were right some time ago, but don’t think I ever said so.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I like math. Now, don’t get me wrong; I don’t run around solving Fermat’s Last Theorem for fun on Sunday nights, or anything like that. Perhaps it would be more clear to say I enjoy math, for many reasons, not the least of which is, when you prove something in math, it’s true every time!
About two years ago, I got interested in Geocaching
A lot of math is broken down into processes. Start with a problem, do this, do that and, voila, you have the answer. Most people in America learn the same processes for doing most basic arithmetic, and it’s easy to forget there might be other ways to solve these problems. The positional decimal system developed by the Indians (of India) is the standard taught in every school I’ve ever been in, but it’s not the only way to multiply two numbers
Shortcuts are a great way to do a lot of math in your head. You know the guy in the office that always responds when you ask “What’s 25 times 56?” He’s using shortcuts, and so can you. The best thing about these so-called tricks? They always have a real math basis, or they wouldn’t work! Here are a few multiplication shortcuts. Learn them, and you’ll see how often the situations for which they are useful show up.