• frezik@midwest.social
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    7 months ago

    The entire point behind the much maligned New Math is to teach approximate solutions that you can do quickly in your head. It’s the realization that if you want an exact answer, use a calculator, but quick head estimates are still useful.

    It was opposed by generations who were told to memorize multiplication tables because they wouldn’t always have a calculator available.

    • KevonLooney@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

      Well you should memorize those anyway. It’s useful all your life for easy calculation. If you want 7 items and they cost $3.50 each, it’s between $21 and $28.