> Then I ask them some simple multiplication problem they can’t do in their head
to be fair, it does require some practice. the stuff i used to do in my head is long since idle. there have been times i've struggled to remember the shortcut to the point i could have done it the long way faster.
the one that gets me is the simple ability (or lack of) to be able to calculate tips and other percentages. regardless of how you feel about tips, it is definitely something we do a lot. except, now, we don't and we have apps to do it for us. we can't figure out quickly what 25% off would make the price. so many day to day things like that is the worrying bit to me. not how quickly can Karen estimate the square root of a 3 digit number, because why would Karen even be in that situation. Karen is interested in 25% off, but can't without her phone. i've already decided the price still isn't worth and a have moved on before she can even unlock her device.
Not being able to figure out a tip does annoy me a bit, because when you know how 10% works then you've got all you need, just halve it and add it back on and you've got your minimum 15%, or double it for 20%.
It's not like that requires practice. Maybe to do it quickly, but moving a decimal place over in your head or halving or doubling is about as easy as it gets.
I don't want to disparage people who aren't good at math (compared to many here I'm like a grade schooler) but how do you make it though school without knowing the basics of percentages?
to be fair, it does require some practice. the stuff i used to do in my head is long since idle. there have been times i've struggled to remember the shortcut to the point i could have done it the long way faster.
the one that gets me is the simple ability (or lack of) to be able to calculate tips and other percentages. regardless of how you feel about tips, it is definitely something we do a lot. except, now, we don't and we have apps to do it for us. we can't figure out quickly what 25% off would make the price. so many day to day things like that is the worrying bit to me. not how quickly can Karen estimate the square root of a 3 digit number, because why would Karen even be in that situation. Karen is interested in 25% off, but can't without her phone. i've already decided the price still isn't worth and a have moved on before she can even unlock her device.