BEATCALC:  Beat the Calculator!

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Back to Calculation Tips & Tricks
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From the BEATCALC mailing list:
a weekly service from B. Lee Clay, archived here by the Math Forum.
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   Multiplying a 2-digit number by 1 1/3

  1. Select a 2-digit number.
  2. Multiply by 4.
  3. Divide by 3.

   Example:

  1. The 2-digit number chosen to multiply by 1 1/3 is 32.
  2. Multiply by 4: 4 x 32 = 120 + 8 = 128
  3. Divide by 3: 128/3 = 42 2/3
  4. So 32 x 1 1/3 = 42 2/3.

   See the pattern?

  1. If the 2-digit number chosen to multiply by 1 1/3 is 83:
  2. Multiply by 4: 4 x 83 = 320 + 12 = 332
  3. Divide by 3: 332/3 = 110 2/3
  4. So 83 x 1 1/3 = 110 2/3.

Remember, if you use a calculator you will get a decimal approximation, whereas the fractional form will be exact.


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23 November 1998
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