> > There's also a method I learnt long ago that is laid out in the same
> > way as a long division. I've forgotten it because it seemed
> > moderately pointless!
>
> Today, it is, when a computer can cough up several thousand digits in
> the time it takes you to work out three by hand.
>
> Knowing how to do it, though, involves learning enough of the theory
> behind it to stand you in good stead in other cases, though.
> (Assuming
> you actually understand it. Learning how to do it by rote, without
> understanding why, _is_ pretty pointless.)
I don't remember being taught it - just seeing
the method in a book. I don't recall any explanation
of *why* it worked. But then I don't recall ever
being taught *why* long division works (although
I guess it is just "obvious").
Antonio
--
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Antonio Carlini arcarlini_at_iee.org
Received on Sat Jun 26 2004 - 17:02:57 BST