| In the debate about calculator usage, we have many saying that with calculators there is no need for mental calculation skills, and the multiplication tables in particular. The counter argument is that learning mental calculation is still useful. |
| My take on this is somewhere in the middle. Calculators, and mathematical computer software, are certainly needed for more time-consuming calculations, like for example: |
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| On the other hand, what we do NOT need the calculator for, are simple things like: |
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| What we definitely do not need the calculator for are howlers like these that I have actually seen high school students perform using their calculators: |
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| The issue with these last two examples is that it should be a lot faster to do them mentally than it would be to type them into the calculator. |
| The trade off point between mental calculation speed and typing into calculator speed, will of course remain slightly different for different people. I would suggest though that most people would benefit from knowing the multiplication tables and simple operations with plus, minus, and fractions. |
Calculator Usage
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