Exactly. The excel mention is a great one. Why don't they just teach excel? Damn thing does it for you? Again, I'm all about new learning and methods but let's not take something simple and make it complex. Let's save that for when it is required.
But that's the point, which Red and HwR have also gotten....its not complex! I thought it was when I first looked at it, but only because its not what I'm used to. 32-12 in my head is easy -- now. When I was 6, it would have taken some work. But at some point, I figured out how to do more complex math problems in my head by breaking them down into easier steps. That's what the method in the OP does, but granted, not in a way that I was immediately comfortable with. Given a couple of minutes to look at it, I see that it really is easy.
Yes I think we all get that. The "new" method isn't complex to me, it is however going north to go south. Sure, it works and it isn't that hard to figure out but it sure as hell much more complex than 2-0 and 3-1, there just isn't a logical explanation to do all that extra crap to get to the same place. Sort of like leaving Lafayette for New Orleans and going through Shreveport to get there. Its stupid and unnecessary.
They are kids, Einstein. You teach them how to break down problems on the simple stuff so that the complex stuff comes easier. They understand it better.
Here kid, eat this candy bar or Here kid, set the backlash on this 3:16 geared rear end Which one is easier? How is this missing you. H man, put up 3 fingers, those are apples, now Suzy takes 2. How many are left? That is simple. I'm not going to tell him he has 3 apples and suzy takes 2 so you need to add to 15 then divide by 3 then subtract 4? What the fuck amigo, you just tell him to take away the 2 apples. Jesus H Criminey