KarateKate:

By all means pass it on. You can tell her that I went on to earn two degrees in math, so it didn't put me off for good.

I never saw the multiply by nines on the hand trick before, but it's cool. (Of course, the math geek in me had to figure out why it works. But it's still cool. Of course, I collect tricks like that.)

Wow, math! It's been so long. I didn't hate math, it just didn't hold my interest. Anything new was ok, because it was like a puzzle, or popping bubble wrap - gave you a tiny little sense of accomplisment. But my heart never was in it. If you knew the right equations, things were always going to come out the same, and after awhile that gets boring.
So of course I tested out of my math and science requirements in college, spent the entire time on languages and literature, and came away with the most supremely unmarketable degree known to mankind. But it's fitting. I'm a bright girl, but of no real practical use.
Oh, can I pout a minute? I went to see the musical version of Breakfast at Tiffany's last night, and I have so much to pout about! First, if you ever have the opportunity to see this show? Don't. It's awful. I mean truly, terribly awful. Second, we went to see it at an outdoor theater. You expect, going to outdoor theater in July, to be hot, but the entertainment usually distracts you from the heat. As this particular show sucked, however, I couldn't quite forget that I felt like one of the chunky bits in a bowl of soup. So all in all when we walked out in dismay some time before intermission I was cheered by the thought that by the time I got home, the Race would be about over and I'd be able to watch my tape, so YAY! Lousy evening saved by TAR! Except when I got home I realized I'd set my VCR wrong, and hadn't taped TAR at all. So now I have to wait until Saturday, all because of a spectacularly bad musical adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Hi all. I've lurked here for a looong time, haven't posted in ages.

Math is funny - I don't think I've ever been particularly good at it, and yet the only trophy I ever won was in a math contest in 7th grade. Numbers stick in my head, but I can't really do much with them. I remember every locker combination and phone number I've ever had, and my Illinois driver's license number from 20 years ago, but it takes me a while to figure out how much to tip. I do balance my checkbook to the penny religiously, though (with the help of a calculator).

My hubby, through love of sports statistics, can do all kinds of math in his head. He's fun at parties. Me: "Honey, what's 12 divided by 57?" Him: ".210". Very useful at restaurants and grocery stores!

This is how number-impaired I am. I'ver read the above sentence at least 5 times. Slowly. And I still don't understand a word of it.

I learned that trick back in 3rd grade. When I told it to my mother (who was always bad at math) she cursed the nuns who taught her for never divulging this:
9 x 1 = 09 because 0 + 9 = 9
9 x 2 = 18 because 1 + 8 = 9
9 x 3 = 27 because 2 + 7 = 9
etc...

Does this help Rachel?

Hee! I learned this watching Schoolhouse Rock

Thank you for getting Blind Melon's version of "Three Is A Magic Number" stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

Although the "Schoolhouse Rock Rocks" CD is one of my all-time favorites...

How about counting to 31 using only the fingers of one hand?

invisiblegirl12


This? Is the freaking funniest thing I have read in... Well, not counting Miss Alli, a LONG LONG LONG time. Thanks.

On the Wall? In his cell? BAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

And here I thought I was one in a small handful of people here that was pretty excellent at math. Of course, all I have right now is the fact that if you start at one, add 1 more than the preceding number everytime, there's something that you'll never come up with.

Other amazing random trick? You can't fold anything in half more than 9 times.

For instance, fold a piece of paper in half. Fold that in half. Then again. And again. You can't make more than 9 folds, and most likely can't even get past 7 unless you have superfingers. And the thickness/thinness of the paper doesn't make a difference, it doesn't even work with tissue paper.

Thank you Mister Wizard, circa 1984.

Yes the magic number is 7 folds.

I'm not a mathematician (nor do I play one on TV), but because of both occupational hazard, and an inexplicable attraction to them, I can assure you that listening to a group of mathematicians in the midst of bistromathematics or any sort of arithmatic is pretty funny, too.

Yay! Hitchhikers guide (just had the strangest thought that Ford and Arthur would be the worst TAR team ever)

Yeah, it would have to be them. Marvin's already done TAR.

Zaaach! I've got a pain in all the diodes down my right side!

Hello, long-time lurker here.

I've always been a numbers junky, winnings from math contests was my main source of pocket money as my parents would never give me an allowance <g>. Now grinding my way through a degree in actuarial science.

There are some easy tricks to (approximately) calculate the right tip, if you intend to give 15%:

My local sales tax happens to be 15%, so tipping the same amount as the sales tax works like a charm. If you local sales tax is 7 or 8%, just double it. If it's 5%, just triple it.

Otherwise, what you can do is simply calculate 10%, then 5% and add them up. To calculate 10%, just drop the last digit of the total (eg. 10% of $23.95 is around $2.39). 5% is of course half of the 10% number ($2.39 / 2 = (approx) $1.20), then all that's left is to add them up (round up $2.39 to $2.40, then $2.40 + $1.20 = $3.60)

Another random amazing math trick: If the last two numbers can be divided by 4, then the whole number can be divided by 4 (so 1,256,308 can be divided by 4 since 08 / 4 = 2. Any number ending in '00' is also valid.)

Oh, my heart.... Hee.

I've got a super amazing math trick too. It turns out that any number ending in zero is divisible by 10! Even 5,684,763,653,654,670! Try it, you'll be amazed!

Ahem. Sorry, I'll go back into my corner now.

Hee, raku!
My favorite trick is to sneak out my cell phone for a minute and then declare my undying love for whoever thought to program a tip calculator for it.

With all this math talk I am reminded of a problem that I had in College Algebra. I never could figure out the correct answer. I am going to dig out my old text book tonight and have you answer it for me. Sure it was 11 years ago, and I don't really need to know. But the curiosity for the answer is still there. I imagine it will be a snap for y'all.

Also. Since I haven't been "killed where I stand" (Glark), I assume my PC entries haven't been that bad. The thing is, I haven't gotten any comments on any of them. I am not asking for BWAH!s or marriage proposals, I am just curious if I am totaly missing the mark or something. Here is my latest one. Thoughts? BTW, I don't mean to be totally pathetic and loser-esque. Just wondering.

geebs_criminy, I liked your entry. That happens to me with PC's too, normally because my entry was good but others were just brilliant. So no comments are happening. You're not doing anything wrong. A good Bwah will make my day over there, and marriage proposals are great. The next Pixel Challenge should be TAR intensive since it is all about banner ads, and we are all about banner ads here...

Interesting ways to calculate tip. For a 15% tip, I just divide the total amount by seven and tip 1$ for each seven. So a fifteen dollar tab is 2x7 so 2$ tip; a sixty-five sollar tab is 9x7, so 9$ or 10$. It's easy enough, since the seven-times table is one of the ones I've got by rote.

Geebs I can't help you on that, but that may be because I don't recognize the two people you used...

ETA: Check your favorite online booking site if you're thinking about TARcon--Expedia just started their "Fall Fare Sale" this morning and my best possible price just dropped from 500+$, if I drive to Chicago to 172$ flying from Madison.

20% has become more of the standard for a tip for decent service, so it's much easier to figure it out now.

We double the tax for an easy computation. Our tax rate in Dallas is .0825, so double is a 16 1/2% tip.

geebs, same thing happens to me over on the PC thread. It's a very validation-intense exercise, to put all that work into photoshopping, and when you don't get so much as a bwah out of it, it's very sad. It took me a while to start getting marriage proposals, too, and I still think I've only had two the entire, oh, 18 months I've been killing time with photo manipulation. I think you have to go into with the mindset that pixel challengeing is its own reward :)

Reason #8794 to hate people:

They mow their lawns at 8:30 in the morning. I was ready to scream because I finally had a day to sleep in and I wake up to the lawnmower next door. At least have the decency to wait a little longer. Then, the phone rang at about 9:30, and I jump out of bed to get it, and it was a telemarketer trying to sell me a new credit card. Yeesh, it was better when they called during supper.

ETA: I swear, this is like the fifth time this week that my post has been at the top of a page. Odd.

TPorter2, same here in California. Calculating tips got much easier when I moved out here from Michigan. Double the tax is the base rate, add on to that for good service. Of course, to enjoy this Tip-Calculating luxury I have to deal with paying more sales tax in general. Ahh, the sunshine tax.

Hey thanks guys for knowing how I feel with the PCs. I do enjoy doing them. When a good idea strikes I can't wait to google up the images. So I do find the reward in doing them. I will just keep plugging away them and eventually I will stike gold. :)
Btw, the two people in that one are Madonna and George Micheal. George M for George Eads. Madonna for Jorja Fox because they both have a gap in their front teeth. heh

Anyhoo, I still haven't found that College Algebra book. I am procratinating pack rat you see. It drives my husband c r a z y!

mel42024, I was comtemplating that very idea this week. It has been so hot here that I wanted to mow the grass early in the morning, but I didn't know when a good time would be. I don't want to be the cause of my neighbors ire. I eventually opted for just mowing in the late afternoon. Still very hot outside, but I thought I would disturb people less. This remind me of a line from one of my favorite movies:Ah - low, sustained, booming noises. Nine, nine-fifteen. The movie LA Story.

Heh. Anyone can mow their lawn early in the morning, unless they are in a one-block radius of me. So I think you'd be okay.

Late to the party (as usual). I need a new job where I can get into the forums! Silly data security.

I got 11 1/2 points on my first Algebra II test. But it was a "self-directed" class and I wasn't exactly taking it seriously because I breezed through math and Algebra I. That little hiccup was a kick in the ass and I ended up doing just fine (honestly don't remember A or B, but I know it wasn't a C because if it had been, I'd be dead now).

In grad school I took a game theory class thinking it might be fun. No. Hard, stupid statistics, and boring (how many ways can you discuss rock, paper, scissors and throwing numbers?). And one night the fire alarm rang and the prof said, "Well, you could leave, but this is the only review you'll have. The test will be next session no matter what." When the smoke started creeping along the ceiling we decided we'd probably forego the review. The fire was an electrical fire above the drop ceiling of the floor we were on. Fortunately, we all exited safely.

Later I took an econometrics class. I wasn't that fond of statistics, so everything I learned for the tests disappeared upon completion of the course. That made econometrics a bit challenging. After the first class I talked to the prof about dropping. He asked what I did. I told him, honestly (what was I thinking?) that I edited economics publications. So much for dropping--he refused to sign off. But he was an amazing teacher. He really wouldn't move on until he was sure everyone got it. And he forced me to learn how to ask questions. (Of course, if I were better at hiding my confusion, he might not have managed that part.) It may have bored his economics PhD candidates to tears (he did yell at them occasionally when they were moaning about a belabored point), but those of us in non-econ tracks were very, very grateful. I ended up loving it. And since I still edit economists (and equity analysts and financial markets strategists) it is very very useful to understand the concepts, even if I never use the constructs myself.

In spite of always doing well in math (and really enjoying it) I had a phobia of calculus. I have no idea why. But I wouldn't move on to it. In college whenever I changed majors I'd eliminate majors that required calc and physics. And I really feel physics is a hole in my understanding even now. (Although, for my ultimate major, I had to take a physics class--acoustics--taught by the head of the physics department, who was a cellist.)

Reason #8795 to hate people:

*Ring ring*
Random office worker at my doctor's office: Blah-blah-blah Associates...
Me: Hi, I have a question about my bill.
ROW: You have to call the number at the bottom of the bill.
Me: I don't have my bill with me.
Silence.
ROW: Well, I could give you the number.
Me: That would be great. Are they going to need information from the bill? Would it be better if I just waited until I had the bill in front of me?
ROW: Well, they will probably need your name. And your question.
Me: Uh-huh. I think I can handle that. What's the number?
ROW: (xxx)555-5555.
Me: Thank you.
ROW: But they've probably gone home for the day by now.
Me: Uh, thanks. For your help.

Reason #8796 to hate people: The required (by their bosses) behavior of the folks who work at the cafeteria in the office building where I work.

One of the decent, if not always practical in terms of time, things that they have is an area where they do stir-frys, where you get to pick out the ingredients that you want. Which rocks if you are like me and think that Water Chestnuts are evil and not of the LORD.

They'll ask you if you want extra spices in yours. If you say yes, the guy yells, "We've got a hot one!", at the top of his voice, and other people who work there are required to yell "Hot one" as well.

As if I care if my co-worker's food is spicy or not. It's his own decision, don't give me a headache letting me know. And it's not like this is Mongolian Barbeque, it's a company cafeteria.

And as someone whose former specialist turned over a bill to a collection agency--a bill in the amount of five dollars, which I only owed because they screwed up the amount of co-pay they told me I needed, I share in your anger, JenEx.

On a non-hate note, geebs_criminy, it took me many challenges to get much of a reaction. The photoshopping on your entry is better than many of the ones I've done. It's wierd, things that are really funny to me sometimes don't get that much of a reaction, but the right folks featured in an entry will get a few BWAH's.

The funny thing is that I'm planning on turning a pixel challenge entry into a drama, or more likely a video drama, to show at the Easter services at my church. (In case you were wondering how that could happen, the entry was Celebrity Mole: Jerusalem. 12 disciples. One betrayer. Who is the mole?)

ETA: I probably shouldn't drop f-bombs in a post where I talk about my church...

Man, take a couple days off from the thread and I have waay too many pages to catch up on!

If I may interrupt this discussion of tips/photoshopping/math/the stupidity of people, Papa Tiger got a job!! (He got laid off at the end of April, so it's about fucking time Karma finally decided to be kind to us!)

Of course, his job is a thousand miles away from here, in DC. But who knows, we may abandon Sin City aka New Orleans and move back up there (we moved here from there three years ago) if all goes well. There's still a chance that a job here will come up shortly, so this may only be a temporary stopgap. Or it may be something he finds he wants to do, in which case my old boss has already assured me she'll find me a job in my old firm.

But at least he got a job! Now maybe I'll have time for my TAR obsession instead of having to interrupt it with large chunks of time devoted to that most boring of activities, earning a living!

Yay PapaTiger!

mel, check your yahoo account.


Reason #8797 to hate people:

Me, on the phone, Tuesday morning, to the company I've just contracted to for a years worth of trash pick-up, inquiring when they were going to deliver the bins that are part of the deal: "When are you going to drop off the bins? Are you going to deliver the bins? you did get the contract into the system this time, didn't you? because the last time I tried to sign up with you, you lost the form that had my credit card number on it.

Them: Oh yes, you're signed up.

ME: Ok, so when is my service going to start? I've been waiting for the call from your rep to let me know that we were good to go.

Them: Your first pickup was yesterday.

Me: Yesterday.

Them: Yes, it's a Monday pickup in your area.

Me: I don't have the bins, yet. And I hadn't heard from your rep. She had my phone number and my e-mail.

Them: Oh, you could have just put your trash out in the bags.

Me: ????

Oh god, I've just signed up with these people for a year, I can only imagine the fun it'll be.

An old joke for karatekate:

There are 10 kinds of people in this world – those that understand binary and those who don’t.

Congrats to Papa Tiger!

On a related note, I also recently got a job- after originally being passed over for it back in February, as an RA for this coming school year. It's in a dorm that I've never lived in before, but ah well. I get free housing and food!

Terrific, wilibald! I hope you're a nice RA, not a mean RA. Although being an RA the residents fear to cross can also be a Very Good Thing if it helps reduce problems!

Anybody know someone in the DC area (preferably Maryland, but close-in Virginia will do) who needs a nice quiet, neat roomer for a few months who cooks and does laundry?

OH MY GOSH! Not to yell, but, unbridled, that is seriously the sig line on my work email. Seriously. I lie not. I work in marketing at a University, and most people don't get it (most don't ask, though, either, which is fine). But that's just all kinds of crazy that you posted that! I've actually had discussions with my truly geeky friends as to whether it would read better "There are 10 types of people in the world, those that understand binary, and not." (My thinking: no, that then only makes sense to those that think in computer binary).

Mama Tiger - Whoot! Whoot! Break open the Moët! Congratulations to Papa Tiger and the whole Tiger household! DC isn't so bad... it's not like it's humid up here, or anything ;-)

What's really bad is that I read that as "I am procreating pack rat you see. It drives my husband c r a z y!"

Man, I had one of these one year and everybody thought it was great until we noticed that Housing was slowly moving all of the psychos onto our floor because the nice RA's were scared of them.

Same here. But - for you 15%ers out there - round the bill up and then calculate. If the bill is $37.49, don't go crazy trying to figure exactly 15% (see - my sister). Make it 15% of $40. Then do the 10% and half that again trick.

About the early lawn mowing - 8:30 seems fine to me, but I live where it is hot and waiting can actually kill you. A few years back we had neighbors who used to mow in the dark with flashlights. Surprisingly, they still have all of their toes. It made me wonder why vacuum cleaners have headlights but lawnmowers don't.

I've done that, and IMO, 15% has become easier than 20%. Really it's due to the fact that everyone would rather tip 15% than 20%. All I do is (after rounding it up), divide by ten or multiply by .1, then add double of that figure, and then divide by 2 or multiply by .5 to get your final tip. I usually round up to the next dollar, even if it's closer to a lesser tip.

It's probably the same thing as you said, binkbink, but just worded differently. I do it the way I phrased it so that I don't screw the waiter or waitress unintentionally.



In answer to this, if you start at one and add one more than the preceding number everytime (1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16...), you're never going to come up with a number that's evenly divisible by 3. Basically, it holds true if you start at 4, 7, or any number that immediately follows a multiple of three.

This should give some insight into how I think: I thought the answer was zero.

And for those that showed concern, I must elighten you with the details of a recent convo with the bf.

Me: blah, blah, blah...something about Entara.
BF: You thought I was serious?
Me: (Oops) You weren't?
BF: C'mon now. You have to give me more credit than that.
Me: Well, I just thought that we weren't on the same page. I guess. You know. Heh.
BF: I mean, you knew that "Cequence" was a joke, right?
Me: Duhhh.
(Actually, when that happened, for a moment, I was like "Sequins? Omigod. *thud*)

And if little "Cequence" turned out to be a boy: C.Quenz

Seriously. I was so about to remove myself from this relationship until I realized he was kidding.

Ah...college. First year, my RA threw the *best* parties, there was always a keg! And 2nd year my RA was a dealer so we had an endless supply of pot. The best RAs are the corrupt ones!

The best RAs also let their kids throw parties the nights you won't be on duty (monitoring) and give them high-fives when you find out they ran a margarita stand out of a room.

They also turn a blind eye when they see a young boy carrying a case of empty Busch cans with only a warning "Recycle those!," and the boy in turn ignores the two gents leaving the RA's room.

Finally, a good RA doesn't make the two kids who are into S&M (separately, shame they never linked up) take down the whips and handcuffs from the walls during inspection, but does make them throw out the candles. You know, fire hazard.

Wonder who was the best RA evah....

Here's geeky: the only clock Mr. Blevins and I have in the living room (outside of the VCR, which I guess sort of counts, but you can't generally see it) displays the time in binary.

ET remove the http echo.

You know what? I totally forgot earlier what I wanted to tell you guys. Mr.Kate and I went yesterday for our 21 week ultrasound. After I finally got Mr.Kate to agree to finding out baby gender, the baby didn't really cooperate. Facing the wrong way, then legs crossed, umbilical cord in the way...

But, the U/S tech said that she wouldn't write it on our chart because she wasn't sure, but that if she were us, she would start working much harder on girl names!

(Pressed, I finally got her to say 70-80% chance girl. By not writing anything, even chance, on our chart, though, the OB will probably try to see with the low-tech ultrasound at our next visit.)

We went out and bought a pink cuddly lullaby bear for our baby, who now very well may be named Kaitlyn Rebekah!

ETA: jennblevins, I want one of those clocks! And I may have to get one for my mom for Christmas. She's one of the mom's that can.

Heh, my freshman year RA would make jello shots for us for our weekly 90210 snarking parties. It was like TWoP before TWoP. She was awesome. My sophomore year I lived in the room next to my RA and she was the loudest most annoying one on the hall. Grrr. Junior year I moved off-campus and that was the best decision of my college career.

I'm not even going to live on campus freshman year, because I can save myself a few thousand dollars. My brother said I could live with him for $250/month (and that's rent, groceries and internet, but I do have to pay for my own phone calls).

My RA my Freshman Year Awarded me the Dorm Hermit award, on the basis that She never ever ever saw me, and knew I was alive only by the AIM Sounds coming from under the door. the first week she kept knocking to see if I wanted to come eat with her, but enventually left me alone. THAT makes her the Best RA ever.

If I didn't know better, I'd think you were me!