Page:Philosophy and Fun of Algebra.djvu/35

THE FIRST HEBREW ALGEBRA in a particular way. Have a way in which you usually do a particular kind of sum, but do not let it haunt you.

You may some day become a teacher. If ever you are teaching a class how to set down a sum or an equation, say "This is my way," or "This is the way which I think you will find most convenient" or "This is the way in which the Government Inspector requires you to do the sums at present, and therefore you must learn it." But do not take in vain the names of great unseen powers to back up either your own limitations, or your own authority, or the Inspector's authority. Never say, or imply, "Arithmetic requires you to do this; your sum will come wrong if you do it differently." Remember that arithmetic requires nothing from you except absolute honesty and patient work. You get no blessing from the Unseen Powers of Number by slipshod statements used to make your own path easy.

Be very accurate and plodding during your hours of work, but take care not to go on too long at a time doing mere drudgery. At certain 31