I'm in a job where I need to do a lot of mental maths, but I do know that I am a lot bettter now than Iwas when I was at school, thank god, and I guess its like most things the more you do it the better you become at it , but I do agree with you slowhand, and the other tricky one is when and Item cost $13.55 and you give them $20.55  

Quoted from slowhand

I was in a shop only a week ago and the item purchased was $40.  I was entitled to a 10% discount and while the guy was reaching for his calculator I said "thats $36".
He looked at me dumbfounded and "wow, thats quick, how did you do that", but he carried on to double check it.
The mind boggles how they ever hold down the job ?.

I feel it is the Education System we have these days at fault, being allowed to use calculators from an early age does not encourage them to use their brains to the full extent.
Its like everything in life, the more you do it the better you become, mental maths is no different.

be carful about knocking the Education System , we have a few teachers here   (not me ) but I do feel that once kids grasp the basics then they could maybe use a calculator, but you need to know the basics first

Thanks for the warning.  i was not getting at the teachers, just the system.
I have a couple of friends that are teachers and they knock the education dept more than most.

After 10 years of teaching I have finally paid off my student loan!  

You don't use calculators until high school, well in NZ you don't anyway?

Quoted from Paula

After 10 years of teaching I have finally paid off my student loan!  

Whooooohoooooo Paula!!! Have one for me

Quoted from Paula

After 10 years of teaching I have finally paid off my student loan!  

At what age did you decide to become a teacher? I would eventually like to become a lecturer at tafe when my body can not cope with plumbing any more.

Quoted from The_Pragmatic_One

At what age did you decide to become a teacher?...

At 18, but I didn't start until 1998.

Paula have the girls at your school gotten the 2nd dose of the cervial cancer vaccine yet? Cuz everyone is saying it is the worst one so I want to know what peoples reactions were!!
(we have it thursday)
and the 1st was like my worst shot ever so :Z

Quoted from Paula

At 18, but I didn't start until 1998.

Paula is a 'late bloomer'

Quoted from dara

Paula have the girls at your school gotten the 2nd dose of the cervial cancer vaccine yet? Cuz everyone is saying it is the worst one so I want to know what peoples reactions were!!
(we have it thursday)
and the 1st was like my worst shot ever so :Z

Dara, I don't think they have had the first lot.

Being new to forums could somebody please enlighten me how to put text into a spoiler.
Thanks

Quoted from slowhand

Being new to forums could somebody please enlighten me how to put text into a spoiler.
Thanks

After you have typed your 'spoiler' text, highlight it all and click the "H' button (found in the "Format Message" options above).

Thanks Paula