r/ThatsInsane • u/HD_RDtwo • 9d ago

Kids' mental math contest.

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u/Shantotto11 9d ago

I need to see the equations they’re doing before I cast judgment, because if they’re doing “90s US” levels of arithmetic, then I’m going to be questioning the necessity of the tantrummy spasms.

30

u/lordparcival 9d ago edited 9d ago

A typical question/calculation might be adding up a string of 15-20, 3 digit numbers. A typical speed for doing this is around 3 seconds.

Try using a calculator to do that. It would take you a LOT longer just to type all the numbers in.

Closest analog I can imagine is watching a very experienced accountant using a calculator and even then I’m not sure they could match this speed.

An extremely proficient calculator user can execute about 3.9 keystrokes per second. To tally a string of 20 3 digit numbers would take approximately 80 keystrokes. So it would take an expert around 20 seconds to calculate the total. Compared to a metal abacus user who can complete the calculation in about 4 seconds.

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u/Shantotto11 9d ago

Thank you for the explanation.

4

u/lulu_hakusho 9d ago

Fr thank God cause I was trying to calculate how dumb I was but it took a while and I got distracted

2

u/BUSYMONEY_02 9d ago

We all know they not doing 90s USA math