Math Magic: The Human Calculator Shows How to Master Everyday Math Problems in Seconds [Paperback]

Scott Flansburg (Author)

Book Description

Scott Flansburg's heartfelt belief is that there are no "mathematical illiterates," just people who have not learned how to make math work for them. But millions of otherwise successful adults are afraid to balance their checkbooks and don't know how to figure interest on savings or credit. Millions of students dread their math classes and live in fear of the math section of the SAT. But, as Scott Flansburg demonstrates, anyone can put these phobias to rest and deal with essential everyday mathematical calculations with confidence. In Math Magic,Scott Flansburg shows the reader:

• How to master the basics;

• How addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division really work;

• How to simplify calculations through estimation;

• How to quick-check your answers;

• How measurements work and how to quickly convert metric measures to more familiar ones;

• How to figure tips and taxes and be sure you're getting the right change;

• How to figure percentages; and

• How to master algebra using the nine easy steps to algebra.

Math Magic is for all of us who need and want to improve our understanding of math. Flansburg makes math what you may never have imagined it to be: easy and fun.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Flansburg, "the human calculator" and author of the popular video, Turn on the Human Calculator in You , seeks to improve math education by introducing tricks for performing accurate mental calculations and fun alternate approaches to common math class difficulties. Students are motivated to learn by the chance to show off by quickly solving difficult-looking math problems. Included are ways to simplify problems, tricks for special instances, and explanations of common numerical systems like measurements, calendars, time zones, and prices. One disappointment is that no explanation is offered for some of the most interesting calculation tricks work. Still, in the hands of an enthusiastic teacher, many of these ideas could add excitement to math class. This is a school-oriented pre-algebra course with a little consumer math thrown in. A crash course in algebra is included near the end.
- Amy Brunvand, Fort Lewis Coll., Durango, Col.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Scott Flansburg is the author of the bestselling book Math Magic. His lectures and his video, Turn on the Human Calculator in You, have helped countless children and adults learn the power of math. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Perennial Currents (June 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060976195
• ISBN-13: 978-0060976194
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is terrible, January 25, 2000

By 

John Springer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Math Magic: The Human Calculator Shows How to Master Everyday Math Problems in Seconds (Paperback)

Anyone who has seriously attempted to use Scott Flansburg math strategies will find out that his methods simply do not work outside of the examples in his book. The problem solving techniques are engineered to work only with the examples that he supplied. For instance, in his chapter on solving cubed roots, his method will work for the exercises in the book, however when I applied these to real world numbers, his methods flat out failed. Hey Scott, try solving the cubed root of these numbers 11111111 or even 123456 using the method described on page 153 - your methods are flawed.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book even though it comes up short in some areas..., July 2, 2003

By 

darkguardian2 "darkguardian2" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Math Magic: The Human Calculator Shows How to Master Everyday Math Problems in Seconds (Paperback)

I wanted to read this book ever since seeing the infomercial of Scott doing his thing on tv. I couldn't afford or justify the expense to buy the big commerical package so this book had to do. The methods are easy to follow and Mr. Flansburg does a good job expressing his mind set in how he mentally did the problems. The basic addition and multiplications methods are good but the examples were insufficient when dealing with mixed numbers of different lengths. There were also exceptions to many of the rules that weren't expressed. Finally, the last part of the book with special rules were so numerious it would take a year to effectively learn and apply them all from memory. This leads me to believe that Mr. Flansburg didn't tell everything he knows, like the quick way to determine change -- by changing say ten bucks to 9.99 and subtracting that from the amount owed; then add one cent to get the correct change. It's easier to subtract 9 since its the highest value you can have in each column. This was presented by him on a night time radio show he was a guest on. I do give him prasie for getting people young and old to stop depending on calculators and learn mental speed math.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good place to start learing mental math, November 1, 2000

By 

DONOVAN wayward dix "donvineland" (VINELAND ,NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Math Magic: The Human Calculator Shows How to Master Everyday Math Problems in Seconds (Paperback)

This book does not give a system of how to use the the various short cuts.It does not say when and where each short cut is most useful.Thereby,trying to remember all or any of them leads to confusion.However,i found the chapters on "using zeroes to hold places", addition,subtraction,and "cross multiplication" to be superb!If you are a concerned parent,student ,or adult ; i recommend SPEED MATHEMATICS SIMPLIFIED by edward stoddard as the most comprehensive manual of shortcut math available anywhere! Learn the simple truths about the japanese and german approach to basic arithmetic . Then on the opposite side of the coin(READING) i recommend :HOW TO READ A BOOK ,by mortimer adler /charles van doren.