Why so poor in simple arithmetic and general knowledge?
@Professor2010 (20162)
India
July 1, 2011 4:46am CST
Friends, you all know, I am on duty, will be going back home in few days, there is not much work either, but I have to be here, the Lecturers, some Readers and one Professor are working under my guidance.
Today I called some guys and girls, they have very high score in the entrance examination, I asked them questions like.
You bought, one kilogram apple for 80 rupees, 5 oranges for 8 rupees each, a pen for rupees 24, you gave the shop owner a 500 rupees note, how much he will return?
Only one girl could calculate mentally and told me the answer, others needed calculator in their cell phone for calculation, I didn’t permit that.
Next question, I gave them paper to do this,
Add 1245, 65, 12.864, 26.008, 0.00876
None could do this, all needed calculators.
Next question, one kilometer is how many miles?
What is the speed of light?
None could answer.
The last question was who is husband of famous film star ‘XXX’?
All gave the correct answer.
My headache for these bright guys and girls, who will come out as doctors and engineers is, why they are so poor in fundamentals, general knowledge, but why they know all about film stars and cricket.
[b]What is the scene in your place, your country?
Do you your kids need a calculator always for such things?
Do you use your cell phone as calculator?
Please respond comment, and share your views.[/b]
Thanks in advance.
Professor ‘*Bhuwan*’. .
Cheers have a lucky day ahead.
My headache for these bright guys and girls, who will come out as doctors and engineers is, why they are so poor in fundamentals, general knowledge, but why they know all about film stars and cricket.
[b]What is the scene in your place, your country?
Do you your kids need a calculator always for such things?
Do you use your cell phone as calculator?
Please respond comment, and share your views.[/b]
Thanks in advance.
Professor ‘*Bhuwan*’. .
Cheers have a lucky day ahead.
4 people like this
19 responses
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
2 Jul 11
Hello professor,
Days have gone when people used to calculate maths problem on finger now a days all of them use calculator to do that.
You know when i was in 12th standard i used to calculate things on figures because calculator was not allowed till then but when i joined engineering i need calculator for simple problems like 2+3=5 because in engineering calculator was allowed.
So people think if they have the technology then why to stress their heads or they get used to technology too much.But both the cases are not good we should at least have the habit to calculate simple things at least without calculator.
You know when i was in 12th standard i used to calculate things on figures because calculator was not allowed till then but when i joined engineering i need calculator for simple problems like 2+3=5 because in engineering calculator was allowed.
So people think if they have the technology then why to stress their heads or they get used to technology too much.But both the cases are not good we should at least have the habit to calculate simple things at least without calculator.2 people like this
@anil02 (24688)
• India
2 Jul 11
Hello sir, calculator is the cause of this problem. At present students of middle classes are using calculator. Perfectness in any field depends on excercises including calculations. So I student never use his brain for calculation than how we can solve simple arithmetic problems. In my time calculator are not allowed in CA examinations, now allowed, but now a student can use calculator in degree exams. A student must be learn vadik maths.
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
2 Jul 11
Professor, I am unclear, these are entrants to what level of education? Secondary school?
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
2 Jul 11
Then I am appalled by such ignorance, I had been led to believe that the standard of education in India was high but perhaps it lacks breadth
all the best urban
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
2 Jul 11
It is like that here in the United States! No kid can do any math with out a calculator! Must kids and young adults have no idea or lack in history,especially, American History! When children go to school a calculator is a common tool! I never used one going to school! I do now because I have always been lousely at math! I don't know what they are teaching in schools but it seems no matter where you go,every child seems to lacking in what you mention in your discussion Professor! It is a shame!
1 person likes this
@dismalgrin (2604)
• United States
5 Jul 11
It depends on where in the United States you are for children in grade school. My daughter is in a public school that took notice from the home-schoolers because home-schoolers tend to be better at math (I was home-schooled, I'm not a math genius, but I can work on paper rather than a calculator) I'm glad that my daughter is using that curriculum in school. She is 9 and just finished memorizing her multiplication tables. In the city schools they let children go without memorizing them. I asked my daughter if she had any tips for memorizing them so I could pass these along to my boyfriend's son who is older and having a rough time with them. She smiled and said 'Sure! Before I do the test I wiggle all my fingers and toes and sing "I am the best, I am the best, I am the best!" and then I pass the test!' Hmmmmm, maybe you should have had your students give this method a try, Professor! Lol
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
3 Jul 11
Actually i was thinking things are better there lol
Thanks for sharing
Professor
@vandana7 (98834)
• India
5 Jul 11
Professor..after I read this, I noticed that the vegetable vendor, as well as baker have been overcharging me!
I mean, I always paid them without really bothering to calculate. The baker actually calculated 1 rupee more, and even though I calculated the amount right in time, I felt too embarassed to ask him that amount because he started attending to ther people in between and there was quite a rush yesterday. But thanks for pointing it out. I will some monies now. :)
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
1 Jul 11
Hi professor!
I think I'll be getting a spanking from you if you have to asked me those questions.
I always use the calculator but I don't forget my fundamentals. However, if I am asked those set of questions, I'll take too long to answer the mental mathematics part. But in case of having a pen and paper for calculations, I think I can do that efficiently. I think I am very good at mental math during my elementary and high school days, but it faded when it was not practiced often during the college days. Also, I hate using cellphones as calculator. I'm just not comfortable texting and calculating using it will not be convenient for me either. 
I always use the calculator but I don't forget my fundamentals. However, if I am asked those set of questions, I'll take too long to answer the mental mathematics part. But in case of having a pen and paper for calculations, I think I can do that efficiently. I think I am very good at mental math during my elementary and high school days, but it faded when it was not practiced often during the college days. Also, I hate using cellphones as calculator. I'm just not comfortable texting and calculating using it will not be convenient for me either. @Professor2010 (20162)
• India
2 Jul 11
I allowed pen and paper too
glad to know you are good in mental calculations
what about information about film personals?
Thank you so much for sharing
Enjoy life to fullest.
Professor ‘*^Bhuwan^*’. .
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
3 Jul 11
Oh my professor!
I am sure to flunk your subject if you got those film personality questions in there. I was never interested in them, or maybe on a few of them only. I'm really not much of a film person. Try sports personalities, there maybe I can answer a few questions.
I am sure to flunk your subject if you got those film personality questions in there. I was never interested in them, or maybe on a few of them only. I'm really not much of a film person. Try sports personalities, there maybe I can answer a few questions.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Jul 11
Yes, our students here in the U.S. need calculators, too. In fact, nearly everyone working in public with money is incapable of making change if the cash register malfunctions and doesn't tell them how much to give back. This is because the schools allow them to use calculators when they begin learning math, saying that they must learn to use that technology early. In doing so they are cheating the children out of basic reasoning skills.
I made my children do math without calculators and one of my sons actually enjoyed it. Both of them can make change without assistance and do math in their heads, thank God.
If an EMP hit and wiped out all our electronics we would be in dire straits since we depend so much on computers for everything!
1 person likes this
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
2 Jul 11
Thank you so much for sharing, you gave them right guidence, let's use the gadgets but not so much dependent
Enjoy life to fullest.
Professor ‘*^Bhuwan^*’. .
@allknowing (130064)
• India
2 Jul 11
It is the general tendency of any human being to look for short cuts and also a calculator can do anything in a jiffy over which one needs to spend a lot of time if that were to be done done manually.
You should be glad that they did not use the calculator to answer your question about film stars. They used their own head.!
1 person likes this
@srjac0902 (1170)
• Italy
2 Jul 11
Now I understand you. In the colleges all have been used to work with the calculators. Once when I was calculating the marks of the satudents the HM called out me and said not to use the calculator for the brain will get dormant. Afeter that I struggled to add mentally. Then I gave up and I always calculate mentall and go fast.
1 person likes this
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
3 Jul 11
So you are a teacher too?
Welcome, i guess, because you say, the HM called you.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
1 Jul 11
Dear Professor, 
Yes technology has really spoiled a great deal of people, where as they do rely on electronics such as calculator way too often. It is because of the convenience that many resort to using it, even for the simple tasks.
I am very good at math and though both of my children are very intelligent, I see the difference with both of them. Where as my son is like me and can quickly do the math in his head, while my daughter will opt to using an electronic device. I wonder if it is a means of convenience and or not wanting to really utilize efforts.
At times I also wonder if the age of electronics, though convenient will cause some to lack in judgements at time. Interesting observation.
Yes technology has really spoiled a great deal of people, where as they do rely on electronics such as calculator way too often. It is because of the convenience that many resort to using it, even for the simple tasks.
I am very good at math and though both of my children are very intelligent, I see the difference with both of them. Where as my son is like me and can quickly do the math in his head, while my daughter will opt to using an electronic device. I wonder if it is a means of convenience and or not wanting to really utilize efforts.
At times I also wonder if the age of electronics, though convenient will cause some to lack in judgements at time. Interesting observation.
1 person likes this
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
3 Jul 11
LOL. Is the first answer 366? I can't answer the next question because I don't have a pen and paper available by my side! But who is xxx?! The only xxx I know is VIn Diesel! But he couldn't possibly have a husband!
Back to your discussion, well, I don't know about those students, but they really need to atleast study more in math!
(Oh! And I don't know what is the speed of light! All I know is that it is REALLY fast)
Back to your discussion, well, I don't know about those students, but they really need to atleast study more in math!
(Oh! And I don't know what is the speed of light! All I know is that it is REALLY fast)1 person likes this
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
4 Jul 11
No my friend, 356 is correct, and speed of light is 1,86, 000 miles per second..
About husband of this movie star, i too donot know, who is her hubby
Thnxs for response
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
1 Jul 11
It is nothing new.Many schools only lay emphasis on rote learning,instead of deductive skills,so lots of university graduates have high scores in study but poor ability to do things.when it comes to calculation,now many pupils carry out number operations on calculators.Over here,people hardly use abacus either.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
1 Jul 11
No professor, I'm not very good in math. I can do it on paper but not in my head. I use my calculator a lot.
1 person likes this
@theknute (183)
•
1 Jul 11
Let me try these problems out.
The shop owner will give you 356 rupees back.
The 5 numbers added is 1348.88076 I did both mentally. The 2nd one is tough mentally.
A kilometer is .8 miles (guess)
The speed of light um 3.6 million miles per second?
XXX is Vin Diesel and I have no clue who his husband is...
I waited tables for 8 or so years and always figured customer's change in my head on my way to the register, or without using the register.
1 person likes this
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
2 Jul 11
Welcome to mylot and my discussions
They were supplied paper to calculate, but no calculator.
Yes 356 is correct, 2nd one is tough, i really congrat you, you did it mentally
10 miles is 16kms and speed of light is 1,86, 000 miles per second..
Thanks for sharing
God bless you, have a nice day ahead.
Professor ‘@Bhuwan@’. .
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
5 Jul 11
Okay, my mother and father were both great at math, but I am not great at math at all. On the other hand, I am great with languages and the arts, and neither of them really had that kind of talent.
@sunita64 (6469)
• India
1 Jul 11
Actually this is an electronic age so naturally people use their mobiles as calculator. In our times most of the times calculator was not available so naturally we were used to calculating things in mind. Now things have changed. Earlier TV and net were rare commodities so we had time to read and were knowing many things which our children never learn. But as it is electronic age they have more exposure and hence know more about film stars etc.
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
2 Jul 11
You are right sunita, my daughter's name is also sunita and same age , her daughter is reading engineering and son may join this year.
thanks.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
4 Jul 11
I think in the old days people had no choice but to do things mentally or on paper (I have to write it down most of the time). I use a calculator if I don't have paper and pencil available because it is hard for me to remember details when adding lots of numbers like with the purchase question. Kids these days have never been required to do things without a calculator so that is the only way they know apparently. But math was never my strong subject beyond the basics. I think it would be a good idea if schools required students to write out their work and how they came up with their answers rather than just accepting a number on a piece of paper. I know if I put my work on the paper, I would get partial credit even if I had the answer wrong because the teacher could see my thinking to a point. Now they don't even teach students how to figure things on paper any more. Everyone is so dependent on calculators that they don't know how to do anything without one. That is very sad. Have a great week!!!
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
4 Jul 11
I grew up in a time where mental math was something that was pounded into our heads. I never even had the opportunity to use a calulator until I got into higher math. I can ring out the multiplication tables like they are nothing and I can also do mental addition and subtraction very quickly. Division was my one tough spot. However, today, children are being given calculators much earlier and that means that their ability to do mental math is fading and that is something that really bothers me.
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
1 Sep 11
hi,
here my country i could say that many of people here are weak when it comes to math or numbers,even me i know that i am one of them but through practicing of no calculator maybe i could say that gradually i can compute without it.i hate math when i was in school days but this will not be forever.
