Chapter 20
PUTTING IT ALL INTO PRACTICE
How Do I Remember All of This?
Often when people read books on high-speed maths and mathematical shortcuts, they ask, how do I
remember all of that? They are overwhelmed by the amount of information and they simply say, I will
never remember all of that stuff. I might as well forget about it.
Is there a possibility of this happening with the information in this book? There is always a
possibility, but it is not likely. Why? Because books of mathematical shortcuts that are easily forgotten
are just that — a series of unconnected shortcuts that have to be memorised for special occasions. And
when the special occasion occurs we either forget to use the shortcut or we can’t remember how to use
it.
This book is different because it teaches a philosophy for working with mathematics. It teaches broad
strategies that become part of the way we think. Putting the methods you have learnt in this book into
practice will affect the way you think and calculate in almost every instance.
For instance, our methods of division apply to all division problems — they are not shortcuts
applicable to some isolated cases. You can apply the method of checking answers (casting out nines) to
almost any calculation in arithmetic. It should become an automatic part of any calculation. We add and
subtract just about every day. The methods in this book apply every day. If you are using the methods
every day, how can you forget them?
This book doesn’t teach shortcuts — it teaches basic strategies. Practise the strategies and you will
find you are automatically using factors for simple multiplication and division. You will use the
methods for addition and subtraction. My philosophy has always been, if there is a simple way to do
something, why do it the hard way?
Some of my students have even asked me if using my learning methods and maths methods is really
cheating. We have an unfair advantage over the other kids. Is it ethical? I tell them that the better
students have better methods anyway — that is what makes them better students. They say, but the other
students could do as well as me if they learnt my methods. Sure they could. If you feel strongly about it,
teach the other kids yourself, or lend them your book.
Most of the methods taught are ‘invisible’. That is, the only difference is what goes on inside your
head. If someone looked over your shoulder while you performed a subtraction in class, they wouldn’t
see by watching your work that you are doing anything different to the rest of the class. The same goes
for long division, unless you are using the direct long-division method. So, every time you perform a
calculation you have the choice to use the old method or use the easy method.
You often hear people say they have attended a class or seminar, the methods were great and easy, but
they haven’t used any of it since. They have wasted their money. That is why I tell my students to make
my methods part of their life. You don’t have to perform exercises every day and practise drills. That is
a sure way to give up. Just use the methods every day as you have the need and opportunity. If you have
an opportunity to use one of my methods and forget how it works, don’t worry about it. Just read the
chapter again, practise the methods by solving the examples as you read them, and make sure you are
ready next time.
Also, it doesn’t hurt to show off what you can do. Tell your friends you know your tables up to the 20