>> Nobody ever needs to compute the exact quotient of two 4-figure numbers
>> mentally. It's not necessary. You just need to be able to estimate the
>> answer with sufficient accuracy.
>
> True.
>
>> (Something which apparently a great
>> many people can't do for some reason...)
>
> Again true.

I hypothesize that this is due to their being far too much emphasis on 
memorising the algorithms for (say) computing a quotient, and far too 
little emphasis on getting a feel for what all the symbols *mean*, and 
*why* you manipulate them in this way.

>> Practising something you're going to need to do every single day of your
>> life is worth while. Practising something which you will never, ever
>> need to actually do is pointless.
>
> Well it surprises me that you never need to calculate something when you
> are away from some form of calculator.

It's not that I never need to calculate something. It's that I never 
need to calculate something to 6 figures. Usually I just need to 
estimate the answer. If I really do need an *exact* answer, I can use a 
calculator (given that there is *always* one in my pocket), or use 
pencil and paper if it matters that much.

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