Optiver/Tibra vs BB Mental Maths test

Was just wondering if someone could shed some light on this. For BB's you hardly get tested on your mental math, maybe a couple 49x49 or 78x62 but thats it.

Whereas for Optiver or Tibra they make you take one of those 80 questions in 8 minutes test with a high passing mark.

The thing is, Optiver and Tibra are also market makers so dont see why BB;s wouldnt use this test as well for trading positions.

 

I just want to share a useful trick.

For 49 X 49:

a^2- b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)

a^2 = (a+b)(a-b)+b^2

Let b =1

49^2=(48)(50)+1^2 = 2400+1=2401

The trick works very well for squaring any number. You just need to find the right b so you can multiply easy numbers.

 
smiths429:
I just want to share a useful trick.

For 49 X 49:

a^2- b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)

a^2 = (a+b)(a-b)+b^2

Let b =1

49^2=(48)(50)+1^2 = 2400+1=2401

The trick works very well for squaring any number. You just need to find the right b so you can multiply easy numbers.

Useful trick my ass. The easiest way to square a number is:

49 x 49 = (50 x 49) - 49.

99 x 99 = (100 x 99) - 99

etc etc...

 
2226416:
smiths429:
I just want to share a useful trick.

For 49 X 49:

a^2- b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)

a^2 = (a+b)(a-b)+b^2

Let b =1

49^2=(48)(50)+1^2 = 2400+1=2401

The trick works very well for squaring any number. You just need to find the right b so you can multiply easy numbers.

Useful trick my ass. The easiest way to square a number is:

49 x 49 = (50 x 49) - 49.

99 x 99 = (100 x 99) - 99

etc etc...

You provided two examples where your method is easier, but if you have 76x76 it is much easier to go 72x80+16 = 5776

 
smiths429:
I just want to share a useful trick.

For 49 X 49:

a^2- b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)

a^2 = (a+b)(a-b)+b^2

Let b =1

49^2=(48)(50)+1^2 = 2400+1=2401

The trick works very well for squaring any number. You just need to find the right b so you can multiply easy numbers.

aka whatever b gets zero in a ones column.

 

e.g. 7676. you take one of the 76 and set it to 80, the other to 72. i.e. set one to end as zero, and subtract the added amount from the other number. multiply them, and add the square of amount changed i.e. 4^2. so it would be 8072+16

 
jrotmensen:
e.g. 7676. you take one of the 76 and set it to 80, the other to 72. i.e. set one to end as zero, and subtract the added amount from the other number. multiply them, and add the square of amount changed i.e. 4^2. so it would be 8072+16

why not just do (x-4)^2 and set x=80 --> we have x^2 -8x + 16 or 80^2-8*80 +16

 

OP, sorry this has turned into how best to do mental maths sorry i'm about to contribute to this

(a+b)^2 = ... is not a great method for mental calc imo

you have to remember two numbers

a^2

b^2

make another calculation

2ab

then add 3 numbers together

there are other ways of - multiplying numbers around 50; and - squaring numbers

i won't explain them here, 'cos it'll sound more complicated than (a+b)^2 = ... and people will say 'that's not easier you stupid...'

 

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