Simple calculation to test your brain! Dont use calculator!

bbchris

Try this simple calculation to test your brain. Don't use a

calculator.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it.

Now add another 1000.

Now add 30.

Now add another 1000.

Now add 20.

Now add another 1000.

Now add 10.

What is the total?

Did you get 5000?

Well, the correct answer is actually 4100. Don't believe it?

Check with your calculator! :dunno

droolymutt

ok - now that's really wacked.

I did it twice mentally and got 5000 both times.

Did it with the calculator, got 4100...¿¿¿¿....

Did it REAL slow mentally - got 4100... huh...!!

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

RonOnGuitar · Joined: 08 Jan 2003 Posts: 1916

I got the right figure by using the fastest route when you have multiple numbers of the same amount. e.g. 4 thousands first, then the lesser different amounts next (40, 30, 20, 10).

I wasn't a math wiz in school, so I learned such little tricks to get along. Once one my family moved and I switched to a new high school in a rural area, when I was choosing my elective classes, I decided I better confront algebra despite my math fear. So I signed up for "Ag". What I didn't know (being a city kid) is that in the country "Ag" stands for "Agriculture" - i.e. farming _ I didn't know that until I attended my first "Ag." class - DOH!! I was too embarassed to admit to the "hicks" that I had picked the wrong class, so I stuck with it for the year. I even became a member of the FFA (Future Farmers Of America) - really! hahaha!

But even in "Ag" there is a lot of math - feed ratios, market prices, farm operations budget, etc. We also went to things like "hog judging" contests. All I could come up with is "Yeah, that's a nice pig.", lol. But it was a good experience all in all.

After high school, I lost the "math anxiety", I studied accounting and even got to like algebra.

When I look at the local town's paper from those school days and see myself in the FFA photo, I still get a giggle.

Seismic Anamoly · Joined: 22 Aug 2002 Posts: 3039

Quote:
We also went to things like "hog judging" contests.

Ron....was this at the Stockyard or at Billy Bob's Bar on Saturday night around 1 am?? :aua

Been there, done that, bro!!!

:bcool

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Steve Iannetti · GweiLo Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Posts: 697

I get 5000 with or without a calculator.

Seismic Anamoly · Joined: 22 Aug 2002 Posts: 3039

1000 + 40 = 1040

1040 + 1000 = 2040

2040 + 30 = 2070

2070 + 1000 = 3070

3070 + 20 = 3090

3090 + 1000 = 4090

4090 + 10 = 4100 (this is where folks will mess up and say 5000)

Cool!!

We rely too much on calculators these days. Most of my students can't do simple addition/subtraction without one.

:bcool

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JPzBeenjamin · Joined: 06 Nov 2003 Posts: 126

Holy Moly

It didn't work right until I lit one up. :smokin

Now it all is workin FINE :headz

bbchris