Gosh...

On the one hand... it's kinda cute and sweet and the operator was probably actually kinda relieved not to be dealing with something traumatic... On the other hand... What if this was preventing other calls from getting through? And... last but not least... there's the whole "why didn't I ever think of that". I mean seriously, I could have used a math 911 when I was a kid. Heck, I'd probably still call them once in awhile, if such a service existed.

So end thought: we NEED a math 911.

Interesting thought. The calculator is certaintly a good tool but that's the problem, as well. It's just a tool. It's not going to help anyone who doesn't know how to use it - which may have been the case with the 4 year old caller here. Also... While it a calculator is great for crunching numbers, it's maybe not so great at helping students to grasp concepts. Which is troubling since most of the so-called 'higher' maths are about concepts. Calculators were required for math class when I was taking algebra, geometry and trig. Even with a calculator - and a graphing calculator - on hand, I struggled with these subjects. Suspect that I'm not the only one. That's all. *shrugs*