1

Being a smart calculator

Problem
Adapted from Robert J. Reed, Brown M-S, Newton, MA
Before each calculation, look for a key step that can help you
work the entire calculation in your head. Perform the calculation, and show the key step that makes it easier.

ex.

6 34 + 2 56 + 1 14 =

1.

3.8 + 5 14 + 6.2 =

2.

(2.8 + 5 13 ) +

3.

7 5 12 + 7 4 12 =

4.

3( 13 + 16 ) =

5.

4 19 + 10 + 3 89 =

6.

8 12 6 12 + 1 12 6 12 =

7.

1
6.9 + (3 10
+ 2 25 ) =

8.

177 31 + 69 177 =

9.

57(100 + 1) =

10.

4
3 14 ( 13
+ 1) =

11.

.5 6 10 =

12.

( 23 3 12 )

13.

22(4 + 12 ) =

14.

44 2 14 =

15.

35(10 17 ) =

2
7

2
3

answer

key step

10 56

6 34 + 1 14 = 8 or

3
4

1
4

Problems with a Point: January 16, 2001

c EDC 2000

=1

Being a smart calculator: Hints

Hints
key step
1.

Rearrange the terms.

2.

Parentheses dont matter here. (Why?)

3.

Factoring gives 7 (

4.

3 +3

5.

Rearrange terms.

6.

Find a common factor.

7.

Look at the rst two terms.

8.

Factor.

9.

Dont add rst.

10.

Dont add rst.

11.

Rearrange.

12.

Ignore parentheses. (Why is that ok?)

13.

Dont add rst.

14.

Think of 44 2 14 as 44 (2 + 14 ).

15.

Dont subtract rst.

Problems with a Point: January 16, 2001

c EDC 2000

Being a smart calculator: Answers

Answers
answer

key step

1.

3.8 + 5 14 + 6.2 =

15 14

.2 + .8 or 3.8 + 6.2

2.

(2.8 + 5 13 ) +

8.8

1
3

3.

7 5 12 + 7 4 12 =

70

5 12 + 4 12

4.

3( 13 + 16 ) =

1 12

multiply through to get 1 +

5.

4 19 + 10 + 3 89 =

18

1
9

6.

8 12 6 12 + 1 12 6 12 =

65

8 12 + 1 12

7.

1
6.9 + (3 10
+ 2 25 ) =

12 25

6.9 + 3.1

8.

177 31 + 69 177 = 17700

31 + 69

9.

57(100 + 1) =

5757

57 100 + 57 1

10.

4
+ 1) =
3 14 ( 13

4 14

13
4

11.

.5 6 10 =

30

.5 10

12.

( 23 3 12 )

2
3

7
2

13.

22(4 + 12 ) =

99

22

1
2

14.

44 2 14 =

99

44

1
4

15.

35(10 17 ) =

345

350 17 35

2
7

2
3

Problems with a Point: January 16, 2001

2
3

3
6

8
9

4
13

+ 3 14 1 =

2
7

c EDC 2000

1 + 3 14

Being a smart calculator: Solutions

Solutions
answer

key step

1.

3.8 + 5 14 + 6.2 =

15 14

.2 + .8 = 1 or 3.8 + 6.2 = 10

2.

(2.8 + 5 13 ) +

8.8

5 13 +

3.

7 5 12 + 7 4 12 =

70

7 (5 12 + 4 12 ) = 7 10

4.

3( 13 + 16 ) =

1 12

3 13 + 3

5.

4 19 + 10 + 3 89 =

18

4 19 + 3 89 = 7 99 = 8

6.

8 12 6 12 + 1 12 6 12 =

65

(8 12 + 1 12 ) 6 12 = 10 6.5

7.

1
+ 2 25 ) =
6.9 + (3 10

12 25

1
6.9 + 3 10
= 6.9 + 3.1 = 10

8.

177 31 + 69 177 = 17700

177 (31 + 69) = 177 100

9.

57(100 + 1) =

5757

57 100 + 57 1

10.

4
+ 1) =
3 14 ( 13

4 14

3 14 =

4
+ 1) =
so 3 14 ( 13

13
4

11.

.5 6 10 =

30

.5 6 10 = (.5 10) 6

12.

( 23 3 12 )

2
3

3 12

2
7

13.

22(4 + 12 ) =

99

22

1
2

= 11

14.

44 2 14 =

99

44

1
4

= 11

15.

35(10 17 ) =

345

350 17 35

2
7

2
3

Problems with a Point: January 16, 2001

4
13

2
3

=6

13
4

1
6

=1+

and

+ 3 14 1 =

13
4

3
6

4
13

=1

1 + 3 14

7
2

2
7

=1

c EDC 2000