On 9/17/2010 3:44 AM, Krypsis wrote:
> On 17/09/2010 2:49 PM, zxcvbob wrote:
>> On 9/16/2010 7:02 PM, Cheryl wrote:
>>
>>> Is that "new math"? Years after I was in high school I
>>> remember everyone talking about new math. I know you can check
>>> multiplication by dividing, and visa versa, but that was
>>> complicated. Thanks for the explanation.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Nah, "new math" is where it doesn't really matter what answer you get or
>> how you get there, as long as you feel good about yourself for it. HTH
>> ;-)
>>
>> (actually, New Math was teaching young kids to work in different number
>> bases like octal and binary for no apparent reason.)
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
> Back in pre-computer days, usage of the different number bases would
> seem odd. These days however, with the advent of computers, Hexadecimal,
> Octal & Binary do indeed serve a purpose in mathematics. I have a friend
> who can program in Direct Hexadecimal because he has ALL the codes
> memorised. For him, all the number bases are as familiar to him as
> Decimal is to me.

Being able to program in hex and being able to do arithmetic in hex are
not the same at all. And programming in hex today is a parlor trick,
not a marketable job qualification.

> I never want to get to that level! That's why I opted for the Public
> Service! ;-)
>
> Krypsis
>
>