Who else here can't do mental math & doesn't know x tabl

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I am not diagnosed, but I do have traits. One of which is unfortunately a poor short term memory. I can't now, nor have I ever been able to do mental math. I use a calculator for pretty much everything, except for a little bit of simple addition sometimes, which surprisingly I CAN do in my head. I used to be able to multiply and divide on paper, but ever since they let us start using calculators (forgot which grade, but already in primary school), I used it for everything and have basically forgotten how to do basic math on paper But I say, how many people MUST know how to solve math problems on paper, right? I mean, if you want to relearn it, do it, but you don't NEED to. I've found 1 or two old threads from some years ago from this forum on mental math, and several people said they use calculators.
Just wondering, has anyone here ever been a cashier or is now a cashier, and keeps a small calculator within reach just incase for whatever reason the register doesn't automatically show how much change you owe the customer? Or if you're not a cashier, imagine you were one, would you do this? (I'm not a cashier, I'm just asking out of curiosity). Also, does it make you feel less embarrassed to use a calculator for even basic math knowing that the reason that you can't do it mentally is poor short term/working memory which isn't your fault? Hey, technology exists to be used..... and if ya need it, ya need it, am I right?
I used to think I should feel ashamed or embarrassed about the fact that I can't do basic math on paper or in my head, but now I I think, a paralyzed man in a wheelchair doesn't feel embarrassed to use a wheelchair to be mobil, so why should I feel embarrassed to use a calculator to do math? or is that not the same? I mostly go shopping with my parents, but if I ever need to shop by myself, there's no way I would leave the house without a little calculator in my purse. Even if its just dollar tree..... yes everything is a dollar, but can't forget about sales tax.

Also, I don't even have all of my times tables memorized (and I'm 19). Anyone else? I could maybe still memorize them all if I chose to take the time to do so..... we'll see haha.

I can't do basic math in my head either.

I was a cashier at the coffee shop I worked at, but the electronic till did all the calculating for me. If the till wasn't working for whatever reason (sometimes the system had to update and it would go down for a minute or two) no worries, as since we couldn't take an order or ring it in we didn't have to do any math. We'd just explain to the next customer that our till was down & it would only be a minute or two. I didn't mind these updates - it gave me a perfect reason to swing down a usually much-needed drink of water.

But yeah I hate numbers & math. In school I found it very difficult to memorize the times tables. And I thought that just memorizing them isn't really the same as learning it, no? Someone correct me if I'm wrong! Math was my most hated subject in school.

I can't really even do math on paper either. You're right, the technology is there to be used when needed!

On the extreme rare occasion if someone would ask me to do some sort of mental math problem, I'd just say I have a headache and say 'sorry I really can't do math in my head'! No I'm not embarrassed to use a calculator! If anyone were to comment I'd just say there'd be two ways to get an answer - me doing the math on paper and the answer being wrong, or me using a calculator and the answer being right! (well even that's assuming I enter the numbers right LOL!)

I never memorized my times tables. I got through school counting on my fingers. Why do you think we were born with ten digits at he end of our arms.
Back in the day, before the technology, cash registers didn't display the change due and we didn't have calculators. All you had to do was count out the change from he amount due to the amount the customer gave you.
It's easy. If the price was $5.89 and the customer gave you $6.00, 5.89 +1 penny = 5.90 + 1 dime = 6.00.
I believe if you don't memorize things like times tables, and have to count on your fingers, you gain a better understanding of math. If you have the answer memorized, you don't see the whole process.

I'm terrible at mental math, and I still struggle with memorizing multiples of certain numbers. Strangely, I'm good at memorizing multiples of 8, mainly because those particular numbers show up a lot in computing.

The time I spent working as a cashier, I became somewhat faster at mental math than I was before, and I started memorizing what various combinations of coins and bills were equal to, but I still found it to be quite a challenge. It was embarrassing too, seeing other cashiers count change much faster than I ever possibly could.

Most things are calculated by computers nowadays. So it's probably not essential to be able to do calculations in your head. However, depending on your job, it could be very inconvenient if you can't. For example, I imagine it would be very stressful to be a cashier and not to be able to do quick simple calculations. Customers could also get frustrated in such situations. I do sometimes come across cashiers who cannot do simple calculations and although I don't get angry with them, I find it very annoying when they give me wrong change. When I point out that the change is wrong, they usually look embarrassed and/or stressed.

You shouldn't feel embarrassed about what you cannot do, though. If you can't, you can't. If it's something you feel you need and you can learn, then you probably should make some effort and learn it.

I have heard about someone who has a brain condition that makes it impossible for him to learn the most basic arithmetic. Otherwise he is normal but because of his condition his choices of jobs were very limited.

I work in a lab and calculations are done regularly. I'm good at doing simple maths in my head and it certainly helps me pick up other people's mistakes and quickly figure out the amounts of things I need. But I wouldn't say it's essential. Some people are not that good at calculating in their head but still manage to get work done (though with mistakes).

I love working out maths in my head.

I used to be really good at it when I was younger, but as I've got older I think I've got a bit lazy.

I suck royally at math. I know the times tables though.

I cannot do math in my head and do not know multiplication tables completely, have to write it down or count on fingers though I have to admit sometimes it can even be hard to multiply...I really suck at math pretty much.

For whatever reason, I was always good at mental math. When I was younger (either 1st or 2nd grade), I remember memorizing the multiplication tables for fun. It was more a game than anything.

My two kids, on the other hand, are not good at mental math. I tried my best to get them to practice it (asking them to solve simple problem whenever we took the dog on walks). It never worked. To this day, I have seen my younger daughter use her fingers to do fairly rudimentary math calculations. Thank goodness both carry a powerful computer (i.e. mobile phone) wherever they go.

I'm terrible at mental maths, and only ever learnt my 5 times table. When I was 9 my teacher discovered I didn't know any of the others and spent quite a bit of time trying to get me to remember them (as did my parents) but the attempt was a complete failure. In A level maths my teacher used to laugh at me for counting on my fingers

However I have always been excellent at maths on paper. It was my favourite subject in school after biology, simply because I find it very easy.

Apparently my trouble with mental maths and time tables is because of my dyslexia *shrug*

Beyond seeing patterns with numbers when performing arithmetic, I also need a calculator. I would have to "know" the answer or how to get there (like a trick to take away 2 or 3 from 10, add by tens then add back in what was taken out, can be used to multiply too).

As to the cashier part, I'm a cashier, have been one too many times to count as it is a readily available job to me-- I would grab a calculator anyway, right in front of the customer and this situation has happened:

Customer: You need a calculator to do basic math!? (WTF)
Me: I want to make sure I don't accidentally give you back the wrong change.
Customer: (silence)
Me: That change is .... here you go! Have a great day! (smiles)

I think they would be happy I wanted to be correct, and they probably still thought I was a moron, but hey, for minimum wage, whaddya expect!? haha


Oddly enough, advanced maths and theory was easy for me to pick up, I knew WHY counting worked before I knew HOW to count, if that makes any sense. Also aced Calculus while struggling with very basic algebra at the end of solutions.

Hmmm... interesting topic.