Why Johnny Can't Add (page 2)

Boxed elder bugs

Add it to why Johnny can't read and blame both on the public school system. Many children who graduate from the public schools in Minneapolis cannot read. Why, because they don't teach phonics, just like math they keep changing the way the teach these important subjects, using confusing new systems that not even parents can understand, experimenting at the childrens expense. I know this is the joke section, but this is no joke.

Panda

YEah, I've seen this too. When I was in China I saw kids enter engineering classes who could use slide rules because their schools had no computers (until college). So they really understood why numbers went into certain formulae. Children today inthe US are not taught critical thinking.

plmkrzy

Add up all the small numbers first it's easy 100

Then add the 4 1000's

I got the right answer. ; But I'm 57 and come from the Stone Age w/no calculators in school

They have calculators in school now? gawd I feel old

MidwichCuckoo

They have calculators in school now? gawd I feel old

When I was at school, we had to use slide rules - anyone else?

Celia

I'm sitting here trying to work out why it works ...aha! Found the part that causes the mind flip: Now add 20. Now add another 1000...

Aaargh.... I can't figure it out ! How come the total is not the same when I count it in my head in the order given ?

1000 + 40 = 1040 1040 + 1000 = 2040 2040 + 30 = 2070 2070 + 1000 = 3070

3070 + 20 = 3090 3090 + 1000 = 4090 4090 + 10 =..... ... aaaah, yes, now I see..... ooops !

TheSilence

Aaargh.... I can't figure it out ! How come the total is not the same when I count it in my head in the order given ?
1000 + 40 = 1040 1040 + 1000 = 2040 2040 + 30 = 2070 2070 + 1000 = 3070
3070 + 20 = 3090 3090 + 1000 = 4090 4090 + 10 = 5000

Celia,

The reason you're having the problem is that your mind becomes accustomed to adding thousands. So when the small numbers add up to 100 your mind automatically bumps up the thousand column rather than the hundred column. Look again at your last addition problem. 4090+10=4100, not 5000.

Jackie

MidwichCuckoo

Celia -

4090 + 10 = 5000

you sure?

plmkrzy

I remember slide rules.

bigmouth

I remember slide rules. One at a time and don't go up the wrong way.

Why Johnny Can't Add

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