I will also say that I suck at math, especially conceptual stuff. If I can measure it or build it, I can do just fine.

My math education was mostly memorization - 4x4=16, 5x4=20, 9x8=72, etc, up to a point, say 100. Lately, working with a spreadsheet like MS Excel has sharpened my algebra skills because it basically walks you through creating a formula.

A couple tricks I use in real life for practical things are calculating tips - Say the bill is 18.00, what's 15%? Well, 15% is 10% + 5% so it's 1.80 + 90 or 2.70. 20% tips are easier, 10% + 10% or 3.60.

How about a discount? Let's say that tool you want is 30% off of $25.00. What's that? You can go 3 x 10% or 2.50 or just say 3 x 25.00, move the decimal place over one and subtract that from the price. 3 x 25 is 75.00 which is 7.50 and 25.00 - 7.50 is 17.50!

Now I get the thing about the 89 + 16 how you break it down and then add it up because that's how I do it with the tip and percent calculations but I learned using straight addition with the numbers over top of one another.

Don't know if that's what you're looking for but I hope it helps.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250