Aside from the obvious cheat with a calculator, a good method is to break up the column into sections. Add those sections separately, break those into sections if needed, add them until you have a manageable amount of numbers to add together.
Worked with a guy in the government. I was doing budget . He asked to help. Gave him a spreadsheet to add up. Just one sheet! He came back an hour later. Said he couldn’t get totals to match. Told him just let me do it.
In recent years, I have sort-of switched over to adding up the numbers, ignoring the tens column, then add all the “remainders” (so to speak), then adding the two totals together. It does seem easier to do in my head that way…
dadthedawg about 3 years ago
Please pass the…..hand calculator.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member about 3 years ago
I was really disappointed when it happened to me: back then, in the early ’60s there were no calculators.
oldpine52 about 3 years ago
Add the totals together and divide by eight and use the average.
LookingGlass Premium Member about 3 years ago
Don’t look to dad for help. Brutus will try the same thing and come up with at least 16 different answers!!
/SMIRK/
wiatr about 3 years ago
I’d say to add all his totals and divide by the number of separate totals for the correct answer but he may well end up doing that over and over.
juncarlo about 3 years ago
I imagine these are the same mistakes Brutus makes in Veebleflester’s office.
GiantShetlandPony about 3 years ago
Aside from the obvious cheat with a calculator, a good method is to break up the column into sections. Add those sections separately, break those into sections if needed, add them until you have a manageable amount of numbers to add together.
GROG Premium Member about 3 years ago
Keep trying. You’re bound to come up with one of those eight answers again. When you do, go with it.
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member about 3 years ago
Are you allowed to use an abacus?
Orcatime about 3 years ago
Must be learning to balance a checkbook!
William Bednar Premium Member about 3 years ago
Has the IRS recruiter called you yet?
walstib Premium Member about 3 years ago
I started my finance career box balancing spreadsheets, before Excel.
flemmingo about 3 years ago
Worked with a guy in the government. I was doing budget . He asked to help. Gave him a spreadsheet to add up. Just one sheet! He came back an hour later. Said he couldn’t get totals to match. Told him just let me do it.
Michael G. about 3 years ago
Reminds me of me.
ChessPirate about 3 years ago
In recent years, I have sort-of switched over to adding up the numbers, ignoring the tens column, then add all the “remainders” (so to speak), then adding the two totals together. It does seem easier to do in my head that way…
raybarb44 about 3 years ago
Missed the concept but at least we know he can add……
Buckeye67 about 3 years ago
Looks like Wilberforce is getting prepared for a government job when he grows up.
paranormal about 3 years ago
That’ll give you an idea of what it’s like to do your income tax return…
cuzinron47 about 3 years ago
It’s not your fault, you’re a Thornapple.
joyscooter about 3 years ago
been there. . .So done that! :)
MuddyUSA Premium Member about 3 years ago
Notice, the Dad is simply staying quiet! That’s smart!
rhpii about 3 years ago
He has the making of a Congressman.