Cameron just avoided giving answer to 8 x 9 , LOL.

Live BBC NEWS.

He probably gets it confused with 9 x 8.

not sure why 12 times table is being plugged, its fairly useless these days

far more interesting would be to teach kids to multiply by 15, which might
even awaken some interest in maths

Judging by the woeful job he has made of PM this does not surprise me

We should focus on the 14x table, so that we know just what Yanks are on about when they refer to themselves as weighing approx. 273 lb.

If they knew that, I think Americans would be keener on learning the metric system.

If you know your 7 x table then you know 14 x (provided you can also multiply by 2)

Twelve-times table is vital for when civilization goes Mad Max and we need to build our own slide rules and rulers. Anyone can make a tool to calculate inches, feet and yards or pennies and shillings, but it's quite impossible to divide up a metre into centimetres by hand.

he's not paid to know his 8x table any more than my dentist is .

My main concern is he gets on with running  the country and my dentist fixes my teeth .



fwiw I'm pretty useful with numbers - hence a betting career ,and it helps when making decisions with shopping value ,but i would FAIL every exam going - so each to their  own strengths .

Coachbuster     02 Feb 15 16:45 
he's not paid to know his 8x table any more than my dentist is .

Is your dentist First Lord of the Treasury?

Of course he should know what 8x9 is. The thick cu nt.

As Chief Tory, he'd probably admire your "I'm alright, Jack" attitude, Coach. And he'd probably still get an A* in GCSE maths, tbf.

Not alright Jack at all - EVERYONE has the chance to improve their numeracy .

It's no different to remembering names or reciting lyrics - you either like dealing with it or you don't .

The gov't can't be responsible for everything .

Maybe education/the system needs to be looked at by those in the know -  but as the system is directed   by folk with a paper  education it's really not my problem . I have my own problems top deal with .

Coachbuster     02 Feb 15 17:38 
don't think it makes any odds calculators were invented for a reason  - most successful scholars are useless with numbers ,that's a known fact  .

i accept that numeracy is important and i think it holds the country back - but that's not my problem .

as long as I know it helps me that's all that matters .

Thanks for clearing it up.

whats wrong with those sentiments ? do you want me to knock on doors and force folk to learn numeracy ?

folk desire to pass exams to get a job ,not excell at numbers -that's how it is .

folk have the opportunity to learn numbers but don't want to ,they may find it of no benefit  .

if i wanted to play the guitar to get in a band i would practice myself to a decent standard  .

If i wanted to cook a meal ,same again .

i'm rubbish/medicore at most things ,but once again but that's my problem . But i realise numbers makes my life easier .

Is this the real reason that MPs have difficulty working out there expenses claim?

FGS ?

People have been asking politicians maths questions like this for decades hoping for them to slip up.

Alistair Darling (chancellor of exchequer) was asked 7 x 5 by some kid before the last election. Darling didn't answer. Now Darling wasn't the brightest but I'm sure he knew the answer.

It's getting very predictable asking politicians questions like this. Expect more of the same in the run up

This on LBC :

UKIP's Nigel Farage was also invited to the event, which came just three months before a General Election in which social media could play a decisive role for the first time.

Hey Dave, what is 8 x 9 ?
"This party has always been completely clear on this matter. We've always said that we would launch an independent review to establish all the facts and report when the time is right. That's the right thing to do. That's the fair thing to do. That's what this government will do. There is no question that 8 x 9 has increased in in real terms since the previous government and we will continue to do what is right for decent, hard-working, decent, British, hard-working families" [walks off camera]