Yesterday we were trying to calculate the salary to offer to someone who was going to work 25 hours or 62.5%.
Person Y
I've got a calculator on my phone.
St's head
That's five eighths.
Person Y
Now where did I put it? I turned it off for the interview. What was the number again?
St's head
Divide by 8, divide by 2, move decimal point.
Person X
It's going to be about £guess.
St
(After scribbling on the back of an envelope) The answer is... ( a precise number a little less than the guess)
Person X
How did you do that? Did you divide by 100 and multiply by 65 that quickly?
Person Z
62.5.
St
It's five eighths.
Person X
Oh, I was doing 65.
Person Y
The answer is... ( a precise number a little less than the guess, same as the previous one)
Does anyone know how to do mental arithmetic anymore? I wonder if some of the brain power that was once utilised doing number work is now side-tracked to dealing with the question, 'Which of my portable devices has a calculator app and where did I put it?'
I realise I am sounding a bit old. I'll be complaining that young people mumble next.
3 comments:
If you don't use it you lose it! It's the same thing that satnav has done to navigational skills.
Good for you St. And if you ever want a job as treasurer...
Sorry, what did you say? Speak up young man!
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