Random Questions; Random Days

April is also "Math Education Month." As a teacher I used to hear lots of kids say, "Why do we need to learn math facts? We have computers and calculators to do the work?" What are some good answers to the question? The most prevalent reason is so one knows when one's receiving the correct amount of change! It's so frustrating to pay for items and have the cash registers (themselves, mini computers) go down and the clerk's at a total loss about how much change should be returned!

These are adults who can't add/subtract without a calculator/computer. It's pathetic and sad. God help us if they need to manually calculate the 8.25% sales tax! Percentages are even harder for them. I once wasted 30 minutes at a department store arguing with the clerk for my change. She didn't know HOW much to give me and I was not going to stand there and wait for who knows how long because of her ignorance!