Jakow trachtenberg biography of donald
The Trachtenberg Speed System of Basic Mathematics
Yes. See, I have a problem. I screw up arithmetic constantly. I have actually written the following on a Calculus test: "6 + 3 = 8." Usually I'm not quite that bad, but when adding/multiplying large numbers, chances are extremely high I will make a mistake.
So I thought maybe there were other algorithms out there that could improve my accuracy here, and I ordered some books. Unfortunately, I don't believe this system is helpful. It mostly consists of reworkings of the standard multiplication/division algorithms. They are described in such a way that it may not be immediately apparent that that's what they are. For instance, instead of memorizing, say, the times table for 6, you memorize a rule for how to multiply a digit by 6. This really doesn't buy you anything.
The methods usually involve less writing down intermediate steps, but all the same calculations are there.
One very good thing mentioned in this book is the error checking method "casting out nines," here called the "digit sum method." However, this is not original to the system; it has been around for hundreds of years (as the book admits). Plus, unfortunately, the book does not make clear that it is possible for a calculation to pass this error check and still be incorrect; that is, when the check says you're wrong, you're wrong, but when it says you're right, you're only *probably* right. In fact, the book strongly implies the contrary.
The foreword claims that students using this system faced off in a test of arithmetic against "mechanical brains" (did people really call computers that??) and the students won. Hmm. Well, the mechanical brain sitting on my desk right now can do millions of arith
Mathagony Aunt
A I found this method in a secondhand bookshop many years ago: Jakow Trachtenberg’s System of Speed Arithmetic, reprinted in 1962. This is a real-life illustration of maths being used to overcome adversity.
Trachtenberg was born in 1888 in Odessa, Russia. A brilliant engineer, he conceived his system while in a Nazi concentration camp for seven years.
This was his way of keeping his sanity.
He did not have access to books, paper, pen or pencil. He worked with large numbers and calculated in his head. He scribbled his theories on bits of wrapping paper and old envelopes, writing only the processes he was sure would work. The work was entrusted to a fellow prisoner when he thought he was to be executed, but he was transferred to a labour camp and escaped in 1945.
After the war, Trachtenberg taught disadvantaged children and in 1950 he founded the Mathematical Institute in Zurich, teaching children and adults.
The method I explain here is great for adding columns of figures.
Set up the sum as you would for column addition, allowing three rows at the bottom for the different stages of the answer. Fill in under the bottom right-hand column with a zero as this identifies the 10s. If decimals are used, set the place value (this will become clear as we work through the addition).
As you add up the numbers, you make a tick by row where a lump of 10 is reached (I prefer to write the ticks on the paper rather than keeping them in my head). Carry over the remainder to build towards the next 10.
In the example I have shown I begin from the bottom of the column (it doesn’t matter which end you start, but you do need to start on the right hand column). 9 + 7 My question is as follows: Long time ago, I knew that there was a prisioner in one of the Nazi concentration camps whom developed, trying to remain alive, a new technique to solve basic arithmetic calculations (add, multiplication, etc). I remember that the family name was Tatchenberg, but I am not sure, and He did ehither mentally or in pices of paper the develpment of his calculations. He or someone else published a book containing that methodology. I have been looking for that book, but I could`n find anything so far. Could you please give me some directions about this book or technique????? Thank you in advance, and keep mantaining this site Hello, I am one of the people who answers questions sent to this address. The man you are thinking of was named Jakow Trachtenberg, and the book is The Trachtenberg Speed System of Basic Mathematics. (I once owned a copy; I don't quite know what's become of it.) Amazon shows it as "limited availability" (and for $62.00!), but you can find a used copy for far less at http://www.abebooks.com. You can also see information about the method at: http://hucellbiol.mdc-berlin.de/~mp01mg/math.htm - Mike Stein I'm afraid that I have not discovered the date of Trachtenburg's death. A search on the WWW revealed that there is a book available on his mathematical theories at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0313232008/wildwierdmathpro/104-9041640-5883122 Quite possibly the book .Trachtenberg, Jakow
Question:
Mike Stein answers:
Question:
hi, I have searched the web for jakow trachtenburgs death date which i need for a report i am conducting on him. If you could please help me with this i would be much obliged. IF you can please include where you found this information for my biblyography.
Harry W. Mazal OBE Responds:
I am one of the persons in the Holocaust History Project that responds to questions from our readers. It is possible that you will receive other replies from my colleagues.