Speed Mathematics

1. What is "Speed Mathematics: Secret Skills for Quick Calculation" by Bill Handley about?

• Mental calculation mastery: The book teaches readers how to perform rapid mental calculations, including multiplication, division, squaring, and extracting roots, often faster than using a calculator.
• Unique calculation strategies: Bill Handley introduces innovative methods such as using reference numbers, circles, and shortcuts for various arithmetic operations.
• Building mathematical confidence: The book aims to boost readers’ confidence and enjoyment in mathematics by making calculations easier and more intuitive.
• Practical everyday applications: Techniques are designed for real-world use, from shopping and sports statistics to currency conversion and estimating distances.

2. Why should I read "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley?

• Improve calculation speed: The book provides methods to solve arithmetic problems quickly and accurately, which is valuable for students, professionals, and anyone dealing with numbers.
• Develop number sense: Handley’s strategies help readers develop a deeper understanding and ‘feel’ for numbers, enhancing estimation and problem-solving skills.
• Boost confidence and intelligence: Mastering these techniques can lead to higher self-esteem and the perception of greater intelligence, as mathematical ability is often equated with general intelligence.
• Enjoyment and motivation: The book is designed to make mathematics enjoyable, motivating readers to experiment and play with numbers.

3. What are the key takeaways from "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley?

• Reference number method: Using numbers like 10, 100, or 50 as reference points simplifies multiplication and division, especially for numbers near these values.
• Casting out nines: A quick and effective method for checking the accuracy of calculations, helping to catch most errors without redoing the entire problem.
• Mental shortcuts: The book is filled with mental math tricks for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squaring, and extracting roots.
• Memory techniques: Handley introduces phonetic pegs and other mnemonic devices to help memorize numbers, tables, and mathematical constants.
• Practical application: The strategies are applicable to everyday situations, such as shopping, travel, and sports, making math more relevant and useful.

4. How does Bill Handley’s reference number method work in "Speed Mathematics"?

• Choose a reference number: Select a number close to the numbers being multiplied (e.g., 10, 100, 50) for easier calculations.
• Calculate differences: Determine how much each number is above or below the reference number and use these differences in the calculation.
• Cross addition/subtraction: Add or subtract the differences diagonally to get part of the answer, then multiply the differences for the remainder.
• Combine results: Multiply the cross result by the reference number and add the product of the differences for the final answer.

5. What is "casting out nines" and how is it used in "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley?

• Error-checking technique: Casting out nines is a method to check the correctness of arithmetic calculations by using digit sums and remainders after dividing by nine.
• Simple process: Add the digits of each number, reduce to a single digit, perform the operation with these digits, and compare to the digit sum of the result.
• Catches most errors: While not foolproof, this method detects most calculation mistakes quickly, especially in multiplication, addition, and subtraction.
• Historical and practical: The technique has been used for centuries and is emphasized by Handley as a fast, reliable check for mental and written math.

6. How does "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley teach multiplication and division shortcuts?

• Multiplication with circles: The book introduces a visual method using circles to represent differences from a reference number, streamlining multiplication.
• Doubling and halving: For certain multiplications, doubling one number and halving the other can simplify the calculation.
• Division by factors: Handley shows how to break down complex division into simpler steps using factors, making long division more manageable.
• Special cases: The book covers shortcuts for multiplying by 5, 9, 11, and for numbers with specific patterns (e.g., same tens digit, units adding to 10).

7. What mental addition and subtraction strategies are presented in "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley?

• Rounding and adjusting: Add or subtract by rounding numbers to the nearest ten or hundred, then adjust by adding or subtracting the difference.
• Column pairing: When adding columns of numbers, pair digits to make tens first, then add remaining digits for efficiency.
• Subtraction from powers of ten: Subtract the units digit from 10, other digits from 9, and adjust the leftmost digit as needed.
• Mental tracking: The book emphasizes keeping running totals and using simple mental cues to avoid losing track during multi-step calculations.

8. How does "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley approach squaring numbers and extracting square roots?

• Squaring shortcuts: The book provides specific methods for squaring numbers ending in 5, numbers near 50 or 500, and numbers ending in 1, 2, or 9.
• Estimation techniques: For square roots, Handley teaches estimation by pairing digits, making an initial guess, dividing, and averaging for improved accuracy.
• Cross multiplication for roots: A step-by-step method using cross multiplication allows for the extraction of exact square roots, even for large numbers.
• Mental calculation focus: All techniques are designed to be performed mentally or with minimal written work, making them practical for quick problem-solving.

9. What memory techniques for numbers does Bill Handley introduce in "Speed Mathematics"?

• Phonetic values system: Each digit is assigned a consonant sound, allowing numbers to be converted into memorable words or phrases.
• Phonetic pegs: A list of words representing numbers 1 to 100 serves as mental "hooks" for memorizing sequences, lists, or long numbers.
• Visualization and association: The book encourages creating vivid, silly, or exaggerated mental images to link numbers with their phonetic equivalents.
• Application to math constants: Handley demonstrates how to memorize mathematical constants like pi or logarithms using these mnemonic systems.

10. How does "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley help with fractions, decimals, and percentages?

• Fraction shortcuts: The book teaches cross-multiplication for adding and subtracting fractions, and simple rules for multiplying and dividing them.
• Decimal multiplication: Ignore the decimal point during calculation, then place it in the answer by counting total decimal places in the factors.
• Percentage estimation: Techniques for quickly finding percentages, such as dividing by 10 for 10%, are integrated with the book’s mental math strategies.
• Simplification focus: Emphasis is placed on reducing fractions and decimals to their simplest form for easier mental handling.

11. What practical applications and real-life uses does "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley cover?

• Shopping and budgeting: Quick estimation methods for totals, discounts, and taxes are provided for everyday financial decisions.
• Travel and conversions: The book includes shortcuts for converting currencies, temperatures, distances, and weights (e.g., pounds to kilograms).
• Sports and statistics: Handley encourages using mental math to calculate averages, rates, and other statistics during sporting events.
• General estimation: Readers learn to make fast, reasonable estimates in a variety of contexts, improving decision-making and error detection.

12. What are the best quotes from "Speed Mathematics" by Bill Handley and what do they mean?

• "The easier the method you use to solve a problem, the faster you will solve it with less chance of making a mistake."
  • This quote encapsulates Handley’s philosophy: simplicity in method leads to speed and accuracy in mathematics.
• "A calculator can’t think for you. You must understand what you are doing yourself."
  • Handley emphasizes the importance of understanding math concepts, not just relying on technology.
• "Let success change their attitude. People’s faces light up as they exclaim, ‘Hey, I can do that!’"
  • The book highlights the transformative power of achievement in building confidence and enjoyment in math.
• "Mathematical knowledge boosts your confidence and self-esteem."
  • Handley believes that mastering math skills has positive effects beyond academics, influencing overall self-worth.
• "Play with the strategies. Experiment with them."
  • The author encourages readers to actively engage with and adapt the methods, fostering creativity and deeper learning.