# Fast arithmetic, without a calculator?

This has been on my mind for quite a while now... Is it really crucial to be able to crunch numbers on the fly?

I have considerate difficulty making out the quotient of $1 / 0.732$ for example. I can approximate it well, but still (~1.3...). When I go for precision, I am too slow.

Are there techniques to accelerate arithmetic operations?

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Related... –  Ｊ. Ｍ. Sep 8 '11 at 19:18
"Is it really crucial to be able to crunch numbers on the fly?" - well it's sorta kinda embarrassing for me to take long in figuring out how much change I ought to be getting, or reckoning how much to tip the waitress. Otherwise... –  Ｊ. Ｍ. Sep 8 '11 at 19:21
Well, that's not really a problem... But more intensive operations, indeed, drag me down. –  Curiosity Sep 8 '11 at 19:24
Crucial for what? It can be useful in some circumstances, but it really depends on your career goals. A mathematician doesn't really need it, although occasionally mental arithmetic can come in handy in a calculus lecture. –  Robert Israel Sep 8 '11 at 23:53