Good start but now I am grumpy

[Doc Spock]

Just read paper if you can call the Mirror a paper.
the beckams in America,
Terrorists in prison with smuggled in mobiles and modems to connect to laptops already provided by govt.

That Stupid richard hammond with the even more stupid nickname saying kids should be allowed calculators in school and also saying what is the point of learning multiplication tables.

[yummymum]

Morning Doc, poor you xx you need to buy a proper paper in future! hope your day gets better xx

[jno]

he's not wrong. In the days when I learnt my times tables the average computer was the size of Wales. Now a calculator is the size of a credit card and costs less, what exactly is the point of reciting 11 11s are 99 when you can actually get an answer quicker on a machine?

[jno]

excuse the brainfart... 11 11s are 121. See, I'd have got that right if I'd used a calculator

[yummymum]

thing is though you dont carry a calculator around with you, your brain however you do. Point being surely its better to be able to do it in your head?

[bobtheturkey]

whats wrong with calculators?, they are quicker, if beckham wants to go to amercia so what? he has earned all he has, i dont give a toss about terrorists there have always been terrorists there always will be terrorists, i grew up in a country full of them they will be around long after you are gone, i like richard hammond he is quite funny and doesnt take himself too seriously and if you dont like the mirror dont buy, it if that is all you have to worry about then count yourself somewhat fortunate

[jno]

I carry lots of rubbish around with me, including a calculator. That's what I meant about them being small and cheap. I've never regretted learning multiplication - but it's quite possible that if I was at school now, the time would be better spent on other things (how to work a computer, for instance). Also, working things out in your head means you could get it wrong... as I have just accidentally demonstrated.

[rabbitygirl]

Many years ago the Mirror was an OK paper but then it turned into the Sun. I love papers. We have 2 daily papers at home - the Daily Mail (yep all you Mail haters - and I love it) and the Express which hubby prefers. On weekends I settle down and read the Times. My son brings a London free paper home and sometimes I'll flick thru that.
Reading 2 or more papers gives a better view of whats going on and its surprising how the same story differs in 2 papers and what 1 paper covers and another ignores. Nearly all have cr@p on a slow day tho.
Most content is read and forgotten and is tomorrows recycling. Put it in the box now Doc and have a nice day!

[Doc Spock]

Just had breckie and feeling better. I don't think convicted terrorists should have access to internet in prison.

It is absolutely essential to know your tables, I shall never be convinced otherwise.

I trust my mental arithmatic far more than a silicon chip, and pressing right buttons.

[THECORBYLOON]

If you had to buy enough carpet to cover a floor 22' by 37' at �14.17 a square yard and wanted to know the cost compared to the same carpet selt elsewhere at �16.50 a square metre, would you work it ou in yir head?

There's a caclulator function on many mobile 'phones these days so there's no need to carry a calculator.

Having said that, I think it is important for folk to have a rough idea of the answer to a calculation since it tells you if the result is reasonable. I couldn't tell you immediately what 17.5 per cent VAT on �182 is but I know that it's 3/4 the way between 10 per cent and 20 per cent so it must be about �30. If someone telt me it was �33 I'd know it was wrong.

[Craig007]

John has 9 apples in 1 hand and 11 apples in his other hand.

Q. What has John got?
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A. BIG Hands!! :o)

[rugeleyboy]

beckham in america............... her idea not his!! and he will regret it!

terrorist shouldnt have modems!

richard hammond is very likeable IMO but alas he is wrong!

i teach my kids for about half hour before they go to bed some general questions on maths and hopefully this will help them when the time comes in future classes!!

also................my phone calculater gets a hammering everyday by me!!!!!!!!!!!

[k9 fott]

I know what 8x8 is

[Doc Spock]

Thanks all. 17 1/2 % is easy, it is a tenth, then a half of that then a half again.

[k9 fott]

Hey doc I just found a video of you when you was a toddler.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zT9xwoFRBxU

[THECORBYLOON]

What about the carpet but?