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Jennie should learn math
#1
So kid comes home and starts homework, one of the questions was something like "Jennie doesn't know multiplication tables, and how you can help her understand 8x7" or something like that. There were several answers, the correct was was to split the 7 into (2+5); Jennie knows 8*2 and 8*5 and add up the results.

My son figured out the correct answer, but he also wrote:

"Jennie should learn the multiplication tables; I am NOT a teacher!"

now this made me LOL. This is the son I was posting about last week, the teacher wants him tested for ADHD.
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#2
I would have come up with a different answer that just used addition.

7*8 is 7 left shifted 3, or doubled three times.

7+7 = 14
14+14 = 28
28 + 28 = 56
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#3
that was not one of the "multiple options". God, I hate the schools here in US.
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#4
Was just having this conversation with a parent: Common Core seems to be responsible for teaching kids math via "word problems." Some of the examples seemed to be going to surprising lengths to avoid the use of any word implying a mathematical operation.

I wonder whether learning math as an extension of English vocabulary and syntax is more effective than the rote repetition of formulas that we had to do when I was a kid.
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#5
I never learned my "multiplication tables". I deal with numbers all day long, and often multiplication. It's no issue.

If I wasn't being tested, I'm not sure how I would figure out that number. Possibly command+spacebar. Otherwise perhaps 7x7+7. Maybe I do have the answer memorized as well.

But while we're at it, what's 10*2+15/5+6*4-10=?

It's sad that when I see those questions on FB, most people get them wrong.
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#6
M A V I C wrote:
But while we're at it, what's 10*2+15/5+6*4-10=?

Siri doesn't know, but she says it's something she can search the web for.
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#7
Ha, ha. He is definitely your kid. Big Grin
You need to get him and Pinkoos's kid together. That would be a riot!
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Whippet, Whippet Good
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#8
M A V I C wrote:
But while we're at it, what's 10*2+15/5+6*4-10=?

It's sad that when I see those questions on FB, most people get them wrong.

Well, since the answer will depend on which operator precedence rule is used, not too surprising that most get it wrong. The "right answer" usually assumes one precedence order, I have run into half a dozen different ones over the years and have not kept up with which one is currently in favor and with which group of mathematicians. There is a reason parentheses are supposed to be used when presenting such an equation.
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#9
37

:-)
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#10
Interesting. I've never heard that there is more than one "order of operations."
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