> > As an aside, another thing I tend to do is
> > visualize multiplication problems in my
> > head. When I do a simple problem like 24 x 7
> > in my head, what I actually see is:
> >
> > 24
> > x7
> > ---
> >
> > And I actually do the problem in my head as
> > if I were doing it on paper. Meaning I do 7
> > x 4, then do (7 x 2) + 2 (and yes, I mentally
> > carry the two, so I see it floating up there
> > over the problem) to end up with 168.
> > Anybody else do weird stuff like this?
>
> I do stuff like this all the time. I can't say
> as I would have thought of the way you did the
> soda (pop) problem, as I honestly doubt I would
> have even cared to do it at ALL, if it wasn't
> an assignment. (What can I say? I'm lazy.)
> But I have to multiply things at work all the
> time, and if I don't have something to write it
> down on, I do it in my head as though I WERE
> writing it down. Usually, however, I get lost
> and end up writing it down, anyway.
>
> I suck at math, too.
>
> Mia

I do the same thing, except that not only do I have to visualize the problem but I have to write it out in the air with a pen or my finger.

-Eric Sleator
Fri 17 Aug A.D. 2001