[BITList] German Super Brain

[HUGH]

John,

The hard bit in these mental calculations is retaining the intermediate results calculated. The calculation itself is easy enough and often involves shortcuts. For instance, squaring a number mentally uses a routine that varies according to the number of digits in the number, and the result comes out in reverse.  Basic arithmetic and a very good memory for the carry overs are all that's needed.  I've an excellent memory, but not for the carry overs - I'm hit and miss with 3-digits, and usually fail with 4-digits.  I've never tried five.

When I was asked by our teacher what I was doing when gazing out of the window at the hills beyond, I answered truthfully that I was just gazing out - in a dwam.

Hugh.
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