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Robin Cornelius wrote: > Well I would admit that I am crap at in my head sums and personally I > think it proves nothing except the ability to remember numbers. Under a > situation like you describe I too may get it wrong or just not have a > clue so you would probably be laughing at me too, but I have > successfully completed an engineering degree and a Phd so think that > times tables in your head proves very little. Obviously times tables are rote-learning, like an enormous amount of other stuff we carry about in our heads. That doesn't mean they're not (very) useful to know though and does demonstrate that one has the ability to apply oneself to going through the learning process and remembering them. Obviously there are exceptions and some people have specific difficulties, but I personally find it incredible that many can't do simple arithmetic in their heads. I doubt there's a day passes when I don't do some sort of basic calculations in my head, not only because it's faster than using pen and paper or a calculator, but also when it's inconvenient, awkward or not possible to do so (or perhaps because I want a rough check that my paper and pencil calculation is correct). I've never thought of it as anything particularly intellectually demanding, more on a par with being able to read and write. James -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html