Doing Arithmetic In Your Head

gaming_mouse · #1 02-07-2005, 10:35 AM

According to these human calculator guys, this is a skill that can be learned -- not an innate rainman type gift.

Does anyone of books/exercies etc that can improve your ability to do this? I'm pretty good at higher-level math, but have never been good at doing arithmetic in my head. It would be useful sometimes at the table.

Duke · #2 02-07-2005, 11:00 AM

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According to these human calculator guys, this is a skill that can be learned -- not an innate rainman type gift.

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Replace "not" with "not only" and you'll be right. Autistic people do stuff like that in a different way than these "human calculator" guys.

Get a book called Mathemagics. The basic idea is to work left to right, and not right to left (like they teach you in school). That simplifies a lot. They'll cover more tricks as well.

~D

Evan · #3 02-07-2005, 11:04 AM

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The basic idea is to work left to right, and not right to left (like they teach you in school)

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Ummm....Hebrew School?

Duke · #4 02-07-2005, 11:24 AM

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Ummm....Hebrew School?

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You seem to be confusing Reading and Rithmetic. Good try.

~D

pokerjo22 · #5 02-07-2005, 12:14 PM

For the life of me I've never been able to memorize a table of outs. I do the math each time - I just find it easier. Some people are good at arithmetic, some have better memories.

greenage · #6 02-07-2005, 07:03 PM

Alobar · #7 02-07-2005, 07:15 PM

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For the life of me I've never been able to memorize a table of outs. I do the math each time - I just find it easier. Some people are good at arithmetic, some have better memories.

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Thats kinda like me, I can never remember how many letters in the alphabet there are, so whenever anyone asks, I just add them up! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

pshreck · #8 02-07-2005, 07:20 PM

I see paterns in the stock market and Im really rich. Although I tried teaching it to people but they don't get it.

AngryCola · #9 02-07-2005, 07:24 PM

jason_t · #10 02-07-2005, 07:25 PM

It is a learned skill, not a Rainman gift. Start with this at Amazon, and follow the links within.

Do you remember the trick in the movie where Rainman is shown 51 cards from a deck and names the remaining 52nd card? That is a trick that can be learned too if you are able to calculate in your head quickly enough. I can send you the details if you like; it takes about a day to train yourself for it. The toothpick trick is bullshit.

What is the extent of your training in higher mathematics?