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I am making my way through a Precalculus text. It is not for a class, just independent study. I am doing every problem in the book. So far, I have done all of the problems without a calculator to better my arithmetic skills. This is frequently time consuming because the book isn't giving me "nice" numbers. I frequently need to calculate 8 and 10 digit numbers with long division and long multiplication.
I am finding that some of the problems require 10 minutes or more of arithmetic. When I am finished, I frequently end up with the wrong answer because of human error. When this happens, I re-work the problem from the beginning but will frequently make the same arithmetic error(s) the second and third times I work the problem.
I have a bit of a dichotomy.
If my arithmetic is as bad as it seems to be, I need more practice with it, not less. Thus it seems I should continue to work the problems out longhand. (Although it is frustrating and not fun.)
On the other hand, if the risk of human error introduced to the problem is unreasonable, perhaps I should approach the problems like the rest of my buddies and use a calculator.
I assume I am not the only person who has run into this decision. Do any of you have thoughts, experiences, or input?
Thanks!
I am finding that some of the problems require 10 minutes or more of arithmetic. When I am finished, I frequently end up with the wrong answer because of human error. When this happens, I re-work the problem from the beginning but will frequently make the same arithmetic error(s) the second and third times I work the problem.
I have a bit of a dichotomy.
If my arithmetic is as bad as it seems to be, I need more practice with it, not less. Thus it seems I should continue to work the problems out longhand. (Although it is frustrating and not fun.)
On the other hand, if the risk of human error introduced to the problem is unreasonable, perhaps I should approach the problems like the rest of my buddies and use a calculator.
I assume I am not the only person who has run into this decision. Do any of you have thoughts, experiences, or input?
Thanks!