Customer Reviews

Speed Mathematics: Secret Skills for Quick Calculation

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

A farmer told me, Your methods don't help me milk the cows. He was right, and his comments were about as relevant as the two reviews by people who haven't read my book.

Firstly, Trachtenberg's book was criticised for similar reasons forty years ago. I was a fan of Trachtenberg and thought that the criticism was unfair because the critics had misunderstood the purpose of the book. The book was discarded by the critics as discredited. It was still read, and inspired a love for mathematics in many who went on to make their career in education or professions requiring mathematics.

My critic states he has not read my book and then says my book doesn't teach how to multiply large numbers mentally. It does. It teaches the same method as Trachtenberg. We both got our method from the same source. My book does not teach the two-finger method of multiplication. I have never liked it.

My book begins with a method for multiplying one and two-digit numbers. Using the method, children master their multiplication tables in minutes. Instead of being difficult to remember, and a disaster, very young children use the method to master their multiplication tables and learn their basic number facts in record time. Educational authorities and faculties of education in many universities around the world are recommending my books and my methods.

My critic states I don't explain the simple algebraic formula behind my methods. I do. This is the problem with criticising a book you haven't read. In fact, I give several explanations that can be understood by fourth grade students.

Trachtenberg teaches a separate formula for multiplication by each number up to twelve, each involving several steps. They are difficult to learn and to remember. I teach one simple formula that allows anyone to instantly master his or her tables up to the twenty times table and beyond.

My methods for long division and for finding square roots are also much easier to master than Trachtenberg's.

I do not mind criticism, but I like it to be fair and accurate. I have taught the methods around the world, taught thousands of teachers and student teachers, and hundreds of thousands of students. I have received a lot of feedback from students who tell me they are using the methods successfully in the classroom, and from technicians and engineers who are showing off on the job. Teachers of primary (elementary) school children tell me the children ask if they can do mathematics for the rest of the day. This is unheard of.

I have emails from professors of mathematics, from engineers and engineering students as well as young children, who tell me the book has opened up new horizons for them. No one has written that he or she found the methods difficult or the steps difficult to memorise. As you read the explanations in order you find it makes sense and there is no difficulty.

My critic's biggest mistake was that he did not understand the purpose of the book. It was not meant to teach anyone to milk their cows. Nor was the purpose to enable people to multiply six-digit numbers by five-digit numbers mentally, although it does teach this if you want to do it. The purpose is to teach an easy way to solve mathematical problems and to give an understanding of the basics of mathematics. I have plenty of email from children who found the methods easy, and it is interesting that students who excel at mathematics love the methods as well as the students who have believed they are mathematically hopeless. One benefit of the book is it not only teaches you how to solve problems, but it also teaches you what you say in your head to solve them.

Read the book for yourself and make up your own mind.

The classic book on high speed calculation was written by Lester Meyers and titled HIGH SPEED MATH SELF-TAUGHT. I have two copies of the 1961 edition on my paperback shelf since I pick up a copy anytime I see one at a library sale. I got my first copy in sixth grade (true story). There are very few tricks that appear in ANY speed math book that don't also appear in Meyers book. But most of Meyers book is information on what to do in very specific problems (multiplying by 9, multiplying by 36, etc.) Nowadays, people generally want methods that are applicable in a wide variety of situations, not just multiplying by specific numbers.
A good test for one of these books is to see how it deals with division. Division is by far the most difficult operation for kids to learn, and books on speed math are often very short on division methods. Handley's book contains two methods, one of which, as far as I know, only appeared in A. H. Russell's RAPID CALCULATIONS (printed in London, 1956, hard to find.)
Why three stars? The book is very good in teaching what Handley calls the reference number method for multiplication. But I think the average reader would have difficulty following some of the explanations for both division methods. Handley's subtraction method (which he says he was taught in third grade) is excellent - recommended for any parent whose kids are having trouble borrowing. There are other interesting things here(meaning things I have not seen before or not seen in awhile)--an easy way to go from Fanrenheit to Celsius or vice versa, multiplying feet and inches by feet and inches, a quick method for mental square root estimates. But I am not sure the average reader will be able to follow all of Handley's explanations. So, next reviewer, whoever you are, please comment on how easy to follow you found the explanations to be. Maybe I am unnecessarily pessimistic. In any case, despite these reservations, the book is recommended.

First, a great book. I'm enjoying putting some of these methods to use!

Second, in response to Nehal from 4/7/05:

"But what happens when we want to multiply 13 x 54? In this case, we would like to start out with 10 (for 13) and 50 (for 54) giving us 10 x 50 = 500. In other words, we use 2 Reference Numbers: 10 and 50. Next, we make the corrections from here."

13*54

Use 10 as the reference number for both. Mentally write

+3 +44

over the 13 and 54 respectively.

Gives

54 + 3 = 57, and 57 * 10 = 570

so 570 +

44 * 3 = 120 + 12 = 132

so the answer to 13*54 = 570 + 100 + 32 = 670 + 30 + 2 = 702

Sure, problems in general get more difficult as you stray from the reference number, that's a given, but it is no big deal.

I see this book has some bad reviews and why....I don't know so am going to read so after I write my review because this book to me is pure gold and I wish I could have the guy who wrote it sign mines! Anyway let me give you some backround information on me. My life has not been so grand at all had some things happen to me at a young age that set me back badly and it was never my fault...what could a four year old do? So that thing that happen to me made me grow up into a mute person if someone waved at me I wouldn't if someone wanted talk to me I panic my social skills were messed up.

So you can guess when I went to school teachers saw me as the stupid slow one because hey I wouldn't talk really at all maybe can I use the bathroom? Even in middle school the teachers thought I skipped school and guess what? I was siting right next to her the whole time yea it was funny for them thats how quite I was so during my first years in school I was the slow kid and teachers didn't even bother in helpping me whats the point right? My mind was nothing I mean a animal was smarter then me so sometimes this lady would come in and give me all the answers in class and I had to do nothing at all not one thing but the other students were like thats not fair but I kinda enjoyed it no work and no one ever cared.

So one day in forth grade...or was it third grade anyway we had a spelling test and guess what? I study the 10 words for a week and I learned them so well that I even knew the order of them so I guess I wasn't stupid and I cry sometimes even though it was long ago but as the teacher was calling out words I got bored and filled the whole row of words on the sheet and she came over and said sorry you failed and I was young and didn't understand at all but she accused me of cheating and she had no proof because I didn't they saw me as a stupid child so for me to write out ten words and in order was cheating so she gave me a F....for studying.

So years later I was forced though school without trying I never had to do anything along with some others who were in the same boat as me it was about five of us totaled.

I really believe I would be in more deep trouble if I didn't enjoy reading as much, but it amazed me when they said I was on the 12 grade level reading when I was in 9th grade.

To me right now my typing is fine but people tell me its not correct alot of times and even on yahoo.com in the anwers section when I want to ask something people make fun of me all the time on there, people can be rude I guess they think am some loser....well I still consider myself one at times but I hate to hear it from others since thats all I have been to others. So my skills suck badly but I made it to college at a commuity one since there not so hard on you when you want to join there school but you still have to pass there classes.

For weeks I have been afraid since I have signed up for a math class so thats what made me get this book out of luck in my opinion.
I did some of the exercises in the book and was amazed that I was able to follow and understand what he was saying...because I have about three other math aid books that confused me and got too advanced like they were in a hurry to skip my level meaning only one page of it!!

But this book I believe will save me and make me the women I have always dreamed about becoming I want to be somebody not working low jobs and thinking if only I was taught early or if only I had a higher IQ in his book he makes me feel its possible that I do have what it takes and that I can learn.

This book is not a waste of money if I of all people can get it and understand what he is saying then I know you can yoyur reading a review on a person who never got a D,C,B,and I wish an A in math meaning I got F's and more F's I never got anything above that ever.

But try this book out what do you have to lose? This book cost me 14.95 at barns and nobles plus tax to me its underpriced.

Now if only the guy can write a English book I will be 100 percent set.

Also if your curious I opened more up at 17 and a half....life is getting better also wish me luck in school.

Math is fun and easy! Hahaha... but seriously...

You will need to learn math at some point for two reasons:

1. So you can tackle a difficult problem when you don't have a calculator. This book isn't easy to use but will teach you methods that you know will work.

2. If your calculation isn't correct, you will be close. And about 99% of the time (in the real world, I should add) close estimates do the trick.

In sum, this book is just as boring and non-intuitive as any other math book out there. And to think anyone can do this stuff in their heads amazes me, given the sheer volume of numbers you have to keep track of, and operations you have to remember to perform, in order to get final answers and check your work.

But it works, and if you remember what to do, you'll be able to figure most math problems out, as long as you are okay with being "close, but not perfect" or are a math whiz who can easily remember a dozen numbers and what to do with them all in order to arrive at a final answer.

In my day job as an occupational therapist, I often have to work with individuals who, for whatever reason, have problems that impair their ability to solve problems, and cope with everyday life. Traditional methods of teaching arithmetic and problem solving, simply do not work for a significant percentage of people. This has lead me to look for alternatives.

In addition, I have always enjoyed reading about science, statistics, and the related areas, but discovered that without understanding higher mathematics, there is an invisible ceiling, where you won't be able to go beyond. I've made it a priority of mine to improve my mathematics abilities to the point I'll be able to apply to graduate school for training in statistics and/or economics.

Where does this book come in? After all, this isn't REALLY mathematics, but "mere" arithmetic. First, if you are math phobic it will boost your confidence. Within days, you will be able to multiply at least 2 digit numbers up to 100, very easily, in your head. You will be able to square a number like 625 within seconds, and get 390625. You will also learn methods for square roots.

It will get your brain to recognize patterns. If you are the least bit curious, you will wonder why these methods work. You will try to figure out a way to prove, to yourself, that these methods work. This recognition of number patterns, and their proofs, is essentially what algebra--that dreaded high school subject, is all about.

With your improvement in algebra, learning calculus is much easier. Once you figure out calculus, probability and statistics will
be much easier to understand. At that point, there will be no limit on what you can learn on your own.

When I'm studying a subject such as calculus, I will typically warm up by doing a few problems in mental math, from this book, to get in the right frame of mind. I notice that I pick up the material a bit faster when I do this. I've looked at Trachtenberg's very interesting work, but I don't find that I ENJOY using his methods (aside from his written long division method). There are simply too many, what appear to be ad hoc rules. Handley's method is more appealing.

If you are an adult who is preparing for some admission test (GRE, GMAT, etc.), I would recommend studying this book as it will give you an advantage on the quantitative section. This is true even if you use some other test prep, such as Kaplan or Princeton Review.

If you are the parent of a "learning disabled" child who has trouble with basic skills, try these methods out. You might find out that your "disabled" child is really a gifted student who hasn't been provided the environment in which to thrive.

Awesome Book that has helped me to refresh and invigorate my math skills!!! I plan on learning all the techniques and tutoring students in Mr. Handley's method (of course they will have to buy their own book to take home)

With effort I believe the majority of people can benefit from this book. "No one learns by osmosis", as my teachers used to say!

I found the topics enjoyable to read and the explanations quite clearly presented. Teach your children tables via a method, rather than by rote learning.

GREAT BOOK! JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.... THIS BOOK MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER TO UNDERSTAND THE FORMULA TO CALCULATE LARGE NUMBERS THE EASIEST WAY POSSIBLE. THIS IS A MUST HAVE BOOK FOR ME SINCE MY SON HAS A LEARNING DISORDER.. HE ALSO HAS A SHORT ATTENTION SPAN...THE FORMULAS IN THIS BOOK MAKES HIM FEEL SO MUCH MORE CONFIDENT AND HE BREEZES THROUGH HIS HOMEWORK WITH THE TECHNIQUES IN THIS BOOK.

This is really an excellent book, to be able to do maths quickly and easily for use in your daily life is a great thing to have for everybody.

@Opinionated there is not much of a problem in multiplying 5 x 5, and Bill is not saying you shouldn't learn your tables, and @Nihal the purpose of mathematics is not to beat on people, it's something quite different.

If you want to be able to use maths quickly and easily in your daily life then buy this book, I wish I had these skills when I was at school.