Dank Memes

Sometimes phones are not accessible. For example, if I'm running I'm not going to pull out my phone to do some basic math to figure out time splits and the pacing. I do that math in my head, including long dividing 7/13 if needed.

A lot of that stuff is about internalizing rules. By doing times tables up to 10x10, you have just enough memorized to understand patterns of multiplication, how it behaves and how to manipulate it. By working out long hand you understand the patterns of positional notation and some mechanisms to manipulate it. Division long hand also gives you an opportunity to experience how division is the inversion of multiplication, as long hand division is literally running long hand multiplication backwards (it's trickier cause you are more likely to run into a fraction tho) - and the concept of modulo is also incredibly useful for daily life.

Even these things are building foundations for later math. Times tables and long hand division aren't the only way to teach math, but they are a way that works. It's not directly relevant, sure, and hasn't been for almost 100 years. But it's a foundation and has importance in that way

If I need more than 2 decimals of precision, I'd use the calculator. But by the time I type it in I already know to expect an answer of about 0.23. If the calculator give me anything else, I'll redo it more carefully.

A good student knows enough basic math to know whether or not their calculator did what they thought it did, or if they mistyped something, had it in the wrong mode, missed order of operations, etc.

Used to have one for Android called Andy-83, but it was so good that TI took notice and threatened litigation. Though I still love the tactile response of the physical buttons on the real thing. Plus its a good place to find some AAA batteries when I need them.

For notes combining text with graphs (e.g. economics for instance), computer might be less efficient than pen and paper