Short Cuts in Figures by A. Frederick Collins

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Collins, A. Frederick (Archie Frederick), 1869-1952 Collins, A. Frederick (Archie Frederick), 1869-1952
English
Hey, I just read this quirky little book from 1908 called 'Short Cuts in Figures,' and it completely changed how I think about math. It's not your typical dusty textbook. Forget boring drills—this book is all about the clever tricks and mental shortcuts people used before everyone had a calculator in their pocket. It’s like discovering a secret manual for a lost superpower. The real charm isn't just in learning to multiply big numbers in your head; it's in seeing how a different generation approached problem-solving with pure ingenuity. If you've ever struggled with math or just love a good historical curiosity, this slim volume is a surprisingly delightful time capsule.
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Chapter III. The Human Mind Naturally Endued With The Knowledge Of God. Chapter IV. This Knowledge Extinguished Or Corrupted, Partly By Ignorance, Partly By Wickedness. Chapter V. The Knowledge Of God Conspicuous In The Formation And Continual Government Of The World. Chapter VI. The Guidance And Teaching Of The Scripture Necessary To Lead To The Knowledge Of God The Creator. Chapter VII. The Testimony Of The Spirit Necessary To Confirm The Scripture, In Order To The Complete Establishment Of Its Authority. The Suspension Of Its Authority On The Judgment Of The Church, An Impious Fiction. Chapter VIII. Rational Proofs To Establish The Belief Of The Scripture. Chapter IX. The Fanaticism Which Discards The Scripture, Under The Pretence Of Resorting To Immediate Revelations, Subversive Of Every Principle Of Piety. Chapter X. All Idolatrous Worship Discountenanced In The Scripture, By Its Exclusive Opposition Of The True God To All The Fictitious Deities Of The Heathen. Chapter XI. Unlawfulness Of Ascribing To God A Visible Form. All Idolatry A Defection From The True God. Chapter XII. God Contradistinguished From Idols, That He May Be Solely And Supremely Worshipped. Chapter XIII. One Divine Essence, Containing Three Persons; Taught In The Scriptures From The Beginning. Chapter XIV. The True God Clearly Distinguished In The Scripture From All Fictitious Ones By The Creation Of The World. Chapter XV. The State Of Man At His Creation, The Faculties Of The Soul, The Divine Image, Free Will, And The Original Purity Of His Nature. Chapter XVI. God’s Preservation And Support Of The World By His Power, And His Government Of Every Part Of It By His Providence. Chapter XVII. The Proper Application Of This Doctrine To Render It Useful To Us. Chapter XVIII. God Uses The Agency Of The Impious, And Inclines Their Minds To Execute His Judgments, Yet Without The Least Stain Of His Perfect Purity. Book II. On The Knowledge Of God The Redeemer In Christ, Which Was Revealed First To The Fathers Under The Law, And Since To Us In The Gospel. Argument. Chapter I. The Fall And Defection Of Adam The Cause Of The Curse Inflicted On All Mankind, And Of Their Degeneracy From Their Primitive Condition. The Doctrine Of Original Sin. Chapter II. Man, In His Present State, Despoiled Of Freedom Of Will, And Subjected To A Miserable Slavery. Chapter III. Every Thing That Proceeds From The Corrupt Nature Of Man Worthy Of Condemnation. Chapter IV. The Operation Of God In The Hearts Of Men. Chapter V. A Refutation Of The Objections Commonly Urged In Support Of Free Will. Chapter VI. Redemption For Lost Man To Be Sought In Christ. Chapter VII. The Law Given, Not To Confine The Ancient People To Itself, But To Encourage Their Hope Of Salvation In Christ, Till The Time Of His Coming. Chapter VIII. An Exposition Of The Moral Law The First Commandment. The Second Commandment. The Third Commandment. The Fourth Commandment. The Fifth Commandment. The Sixth Commandment. The Seventh Commandment. The Eighth Commandment. The Ninth Commandment. The Tenth Commandment. Chapter IX. Christ, Though Known To The Jews Under The Law, Yet Clearly Revealed Only In The Gospel. Chapter X. The Similarity Of The Old And New Testaments. Chapter XI. The Difference Of The Two Testaments. Chapter XII. The Necessity Of Christ Becoming Man In Order To Fulfil The Office Of Mediator. Chapter XIII. Christ’s Assumption Of Real Humanity. Chapter XIV. The Union Of The Two Natures Constituting The Person Of The Mediator. Chapter XV. The Consideration Of Christ’s Three Offices, Prophetical, Regal, And Sacerdotal, Necessary To Our Knowing The End Of His Mission From The Father,...

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Published in 1908, 'Short Cuts in Figures' is exactly what it sounds like: a practical guide to doing arithmetic faster and smarter. Author A. Frederick Collins, a prolific writer on science and technology for everyday people, compiles a treasure trove of mental math techniques. He walks you through clever methods for quick multiplication, division, and handling fractions—all designed to be done without paper, relying on pattern recognition and simplification.

The Story

There's no fictional plot here, but there is a clear narrative: it's you versus the numbers, and this book is your cheat code. Collins presents each 'short cut' as a neat little puzzle to solve. He starts with the basics and builds up to more complex calculations, teaching you how to break seemingly hard problems into easy, manageable steps you can perform in your head. The 'story' is the journey of unlocking a more intuitive and confident way to handle everyday math.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a joy for two big reasons. First, the techniques genuinely work and feel like magic tricks. There's a real satisfaction in multiplying 96 by 104 in seconds. Second, and more importantly, it's a fascinating look at historical literacy. This was a book for clerks, shopkeepers, and students—a tool for practical efficiency in a pre-digital world. Reading it connects you to the everyday intellectual toolkit of over a century ago.

Final Verdict

Perfect for curious minds, history lovers, and anyone who wants to build a better relationship with numbers. It’s not a dry manual; it's a collection of intellectual party tricks from a bygone era. If you enjoy 'life hack' videos or popular science, you'll get a kick out of this original source material. Just be warned: you might start showing off your new mental math skills at the dinner table.



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