You can be a lot smarter than them by keeping an open mind, and considering these things:

• When that same "smart" teacher taught you that multiplying any whole number by 10 meant simply putting a zero on the end of the number, did they feel like "it was just a trick" or "it doesn't work with any other numbers?" Of course not. Just because it is good, doesn't mean it is bad. That "trick" was good with multiplication by 10. Your teacher just stopped there because s/he didn't know about this stuff.
  
  
• When they taught you your 2 times tables, did they say, "It is just a trick, it doesn't work for other numbers?" Of course not. Anyone who uses that lame argument against what you are learning here doesn't have enough brains to see the flaws in their own thinking. Forget 'em!
  
  
• Multiplying by 11 is just a basis for learning multiplication by other numbers. Practice 11 for awhile, then we'll add something simple for 12, then go to higher numbers. It will not get complicated if you learn in steps, and practice. Remember, you get immediate results from each step. By learning 11 you already will be able to do something the others don't even know exists.
  
  
• Here is something you will come up against: The unimaginative suck-ups who run the public school systems will tell you stuff like, "Well, you can't use this because you didn't show your work." Do you know what circular logic is? It is a lame kind of argumentation used by inferior minds to bully you into not trying to understand things which they are too stupid to understand themselves. It goes like this: "If I don't like it, it's no good; and I don't like it because it's no good."
     
     That is the same bad logic that comes up with gems like, "You will do it because I said so!" Anyone who uses that argument for any reason needs an butt-whuppin'. They are bullies, and they know that they are worthless. They just don't want you to know it. But now you do, so you can laugh at them. Just learn stuff. That really ticks them off.
    
     As far as "showing your work," there is no work to show with this method. Why do they want to force you to do it the old way just so you can show that you can jump through some unnecessary hoops? It is to make them feel like they are important. Sure, when you are learning the old way, show your work if they want you to. Humor them to get good grades. Then move on to better stuff. Don't let your school limit your learning!

 Now, before I bust a gut ranting, you'd better click here to close this window.

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