Is it a skill or is it normal?

Question

When I was young, I always lost my calculator, so I was often force to write my math exams without a calculator. Now I can do pretty much anything in my head, that includes multiplying numbers with decimals together. For example: 234.83 X 283.123

this is how i do it using this example. 234.83 X 283.123.. First I round both number (250 X 300) so i know that the number will be close to 25000X 3 which is 75000. then i remove all decimal and calculate 23483 X 283123 in my head. and the answer is 66485.77409. I normally round to 2 decimal point

Answer 1

If you can multiply a number of five digits and a number of six digits together in your head (like you listed above), it is definitely a skill.

Most people can multiply two one-digit numbers together in their head, but cannot multiply two two-digit numbers together in their head.

People proficient in math can usually multiply two two-digit numbers in their head, and a few can multiply two three-digit numbers, but being able to multiply a five-digit and a six-digit number together correctly is quite unusual.

Answer 2

It is skill. I can do the same thing. It drives some people nuts when you can do a calculation in your head faster than they can on a calculator. Most are far too reliant on thier calculators to provide them an answer. I think it is a skill anyone can develop, if they try to and practice doing math without a calculator.

Answer 3

It is a skill that you developed due to doing exams without a calculator.

Answer 4

it's a skill that's pretty normal amongst math geeks like us. I do multiplication the same way sorta. the average person cannot do this.

Answer 5

It is definitely a skill in that you developed it by hard work. I wouldn't call it abnormal, just not very common.

Answer 6

It means your brain works very well, particularly in the area of mathematics. That can be very handy.