Some of the grandkids like to call and see if they can stump gramps, a trick that is getting easier for them as my years pass. But recently I received a call from one g-son, all excited about how he learned which way to add zeroes(move the decimal) when converting a number which had a "powers of ten" designation, said he learned it from his mother. He started with numerous unrequired details(got that from me I'm afraid), then asked "you know about the X & Y axis...right?" "Yes!" Then went on to explain the "X" is horizontal and the decimal is moved left or right on that axis, depending on whether it's a positive or negative "power." After much breathless explanation and a final "do you understand now grandpa" he then hung up rather abruptly. This is a very abbreviated version of a fifteen minute phone call which included numerous examples of both positive and negative powers. Frankly, I was having trouble keeping up so I asked "do you think I talk too slow?" From the mouths of babes; "yes, but that's because you're old." So I told him "well, I listen at the same speed, I guess it's because I'm getting old." After an extended giggle, I could tell he purposely slowed down.
After we hung up, I got to thinking about what had just happened. Many years ago, my second daughter who actually is quite sharp in math, was having trouble determining which way to move the decimal(add the zeroes, as it were). So I proceeded to give an explanation using the X & Y axis scenario. It apparently stuck because that's the basic idea this young guy passed on to me. So, an idea from 35-40 years ago has finally come full circle to a third generation. I wonder if he will pass it on to his kids a few years from now, I'd like to be around to find out but it's already "Fall."
What really blows me away, he's learning all about this kind of stuff at least three years earlier than I did. I just wish one of them would become a doctor!!!
