Is there really a way to do math in your head faster?
Alot if books claim to teach their super secret methods, are any of them true? Any recommendations?
I'd like to do math quicker, particularly percentages and fractions. How do all the tv "human calculators" do it? Do you recommend learning it?
- probably
- it doesn't matter
- you're wasting time not learning higher level. You don't need mega arithmatic skills.
>>7972825
The only way to do math faster is to do lots and lots of it. Its basically like any other skill.
>>7972825
use a calculator they're more reliable
So would my time be better learning higher math?
>>7972825
Mostly it's a matter of practice. Practice at a level that makes stop and think for just a moment before you come up with the answer. More than ten seconds is too hard. You want to keep making things that take ten seconds, take five seconds, then two seconds, then no perceptible time or effort at all.
If a problem takes 30 seconds, it's a clear matter of conscious thought, and further practice won't easily push it down to a subconscious, automatic level. At under 10 seconds, you are just calling things up from memory and following simple rules, and those things can be reinforced and sped up.
People become human calculators sometimes after brain damage. It's not a matter of special talent, it's a matter of executive function. Normally, we don't repeat such tedious activities endlessly. If we did, we'd all be idiot savants: always directing our efforts diligently toward matters largely irrelevant to our physical wellbeing and social status.
Our interest naturally drops off from such repetitive efforts. In some people, the mechanism for this is defective. Others consciously overcome it, through discipline (either self-discipline or with a trainer), and make themselves carry on against their natural inclinations until they develop extraordinary skill.
Normally, this kind of mathematical skill develops for arithemetic, but the same methods work for algebra and calculus. The trick is to carry on practicing things that are easy until they're effortless.
>>7972825
I subscribed to a few channels that deal with the subject, although I never had the time to watch an entire playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SZw8jpfAk0&list=PLDZcGqoKA84F1MpiiYP6omwssMVjawXo8
https://www.youtube.com/user/tecmath/playlists
Got a few books saved about it aswell, might give them a read when I have time:
http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Mathematics-Simplified-Dover-Books/dp/0486278875
http://www.amazon.com/Mental-Calculators-Handbook-Robert-Fountain/dp/1300846658
https://www.amazon.com.br/Secrets-Mental-Math-Mathemagicians-Calculation/dp/0307338401?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
http://www.myreckonings.com/Dead_Reckoning/Dead_Reckoning.htm
I've also heard some good things about vedic mathematics.
http://www.vedicmaths.org/
I'd say learn the methods if you want to, but most importantly know the mechanism behind it. I remember being amazed to see that things like the division algorithm need to be proved, it made things way clearer to me.
>>7972896
...and another important aspect is to make easy problems for yourself. This is a bit like feeling your teeth with your tongue: it's familiar, but you're probing for any strangeness. Rather than digging out bits of stuck food, you're finding the things you're still a little slow at, areas where you're a bit uncertain and getting the answer is still effortful.
If you can't make your own problems, then you won't have nearly the volume of problems available to practice on. Besides that, you'll tire your eyes unnecessarily, and your mind will wander because of it, to give them a rest. Much better to be able to make up problems, solve them, and confirm the answers in your mind alone.
>>7972825
yes it's called having a high IQ dumbfag
if you can't visualize the numbers in your head then you need to commit sudoku asap
>>7972913
/thread
>>7972825
Kahn academy. Repetition.
>>7972825
Sure. And it's great fun. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q53GmMCqmAM
>>7972929
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZeciX-3wfs
>>7972929
I miss Noggin
be a prodigy
Yes there are ways to do mental arithmetic faster. Look for books teaching 'vedic' or ancient Indian math. Tried it, learned it, became super fast, then forgot it. There are lots of mental shortcuts available.
>>7972901
https://www.amazon.com.br/Secrets-Mental-Math-Mathemagicians-Calculation/dp/0307338401?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
Is quite good. The forward is written by pic related
