The opening feature articles frame the issues well. Louise Cuneo, Le Point's education correspondent, explains just how useful mental arithmetic is in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of estimation. She quotes Éric Trouillot (see Tangente 163), who explains that "juggling numbers develops mental agility, enabling us to engage in more complex reasoning." She concludes with the obstacles posed by anxiety about calculations and certain social stereotypes.
Drawing on Luc Ferry's remark, "Like 90% of French people, I have never used, not even for thirty seconds, what I learned in mathematics throughout my school years," Romain Gubert, deputy editor-in-chief, shows that, on the contrary, mathematics is essential to most of us. He notes that stronger mathematics skills make the transition into working life considerably easier.
The following pages aim to bring mental arithmetic and games together by presenting websites, mobile apps and a variety of games. Those looking for tips on calculating faster will also find what they need.
This issue will be useful to anyone who struggles with arithmetic. The worry is that they will avoid it!
