What’s a completely useless skill you’re weirdly proud of 😌?

Question

I can open a bag of chips without making a single sound 😄

abc3643 · Accepted Answer

I am old enough to remember the "long division" method to compute the exact digits of a square root. They haven't taught this in a long time which is a real shame because it is a good skill to know. I don't need a calculator to compute an exact square root.

What’s a completely useless skill you’re weirdly proud of 😌?

For example: Determine the square root of 19.

1. What is the largest integer whose square is less than 19? 4 because 4^2 = 16 and 5^2 = 25 and 16 < 19 < 25.
Call this "the answer so far..."

Everything after is going to be to the right of the decimal place in the answer.

2. Square that integer and then subtract from 19.
19 - 16 = 3.
Call this "the current remainder"

3. Take the answer so far and double it and multiply by 10. That is, multiply "the answer so far" by 20.
4*20 = 80.

4. Multiply the current remainder by 100.
100*3 = 300

5. Find the maximum integer, x, between 0 and 9 such that (20*"the answer so far" + x) * x <= 100 * current remainder.

So, what is the integer x (80+x)*x <= 300?
Well, 80*4 is 320 and that's too high, so let's try 3.

83*3 = 249.
84*4 = 336.
So, it's definitely 3.

THE CURRENT ANSWER IS NOW 4.3.

Let's check: (4.3)^2 = 18.49.
We're going to need that...

Now, we start over...
19 - 18.49 = 0.51

OK, now we really ignore decimal points here...
The "current answer" is 43 and the "current remainder" is 51.

Take the current answer, multiply by 20:
860

Take the current remainder and multiply by 100:
5100

What is the maximum integer between 0 and 9 such that:
(860+x)*x <= 5100

Well, 800*6=4800 and 800*7 = 5600, so it's likely 6...
866 * 6 = 5196
OK, that's already too high but just by a hair, so it's 5.

865 * 5 = 4325

The new actual current answer = 4.35.
Let's check: (4.35)^2 = 18.9225.
We're going to need that...

Remember, we've ditched the decimal, so, for the purposes of this algorithm, the current answer is 435.
The current remainder is now 5100-4325 = 775.

So, onto the next digit...

Multiply the current answer by 20:
435 * 20 = 8700

Multiply the current remainder by 100:
775 * 100 = 77500

So, what is the maximum integer x between 0 and 9 so:
(8700+x)*x <= 77500
Well, we know, if x = 9, that 8000 * 9 = 72000 but 700 * 9 = 6300 so 8700*9 = 78300, so that's too high.
What about x = 8?
(8700+8)*8 = 69664.
Well, that's less than 77500, so we're good.
77500 - 69664 = 7836
That's the new current remainder.

The NEW actual current answer = 4.358.
Let's check: (4.358)^2 = 18.992164.
We're going to need that...

Notice, we keep getting closer and closer to 19 but are always under.
With every new digit we add, we get even closer to 19...

I'm just going to do the next digit...

Current Answer = 4358
20*Current Answer = 87160
Current Remainder = 7836
100*Current Remainder = 783600

Find X where X is the maximum integer between 0 and 9 such:
(20*Current Answer + X) * X <= 100*Current Remainder
(87160 + X) * X <= 783600
87169 * 9 = 784521 > 783600, so 9 is too high.
87168 * 8 = 697344 < 783600, so 8 is the answer.

NOW, the actual current answer is 4.3588.
Let's check: (4.3588)^2 = 18.99913744.

That's pretty damn close to 19.

So, I'm going to stop.
I know that the square root of 19 = 4.3588+some amount < 0.0001.
That is:
4.3588 < square root of 19 < 4.3589.
Checking:
4.3588 = 18.99913744
4.3589 = 19.00000921
(So, the real answer is likely much closer to 4.3589 than 4.3588.)

OK, so what is the square root of 19 according to a calculator?

4.3588989435406735522369819

Notice the first 5 digits...
4.3588

That's exactly what I computed myself.

I learned this in the 5th or 6th grade over 50 years ago.

It looks complicated, but it's not and, if you search on the long division square root algorithm, you might be able to find graphical representations of what I did.

LOL... I asked Google Gemini to do it hoping for a graphic. No graphic, but it did do it just like I did, but with clearer language.

https://gemini.google.com/share/8bf8fc8901a1?skid=c2de6787-e112-414d-b744-e5f025a3560d

I queried Google directly expressing for it to be graphical. This is what it came back with...

OneViewpoint · Accepted Answer

So this is gonna be a little indirect but stick with me.

I can read people or a room really fast. 2 minutes or less of observation or conversation. And I've sized up your insecurities, categorized your personality, and filed you away. With about 95% accuracy. OK, so that's not useless right? It's actually pretty useful.

Here's the part that is weirdly satisfying. My silence and refusal to engage with some personality types can trigger fear or anger. Instead of simply ignoring me, they seem to be unable to stop themselves from having a visible reaction to my doing absolutely nothing but sitting there in silence and thinking.

It's not a very useful thing but it is weirdly fascinating to watch.

DeeDeeDeVour · Accepted Answer

1. I can detach a cherry from its stem inside my mouth.

2. I can tie a knot with that cherry stem inside my mouth.

3. My tongue can twirl into my mouth with a nearly-finished cigarette and not burn any part inside my mouth while I puff that cigarette.

4. I can make men fight over me.

Karrimurray · Accepted Answer

I can perfectly recreate an entire argument in my head three days later and suddenly come up with the perfect response I should’ve said at the time. In the moment? Absolutely nothing. Three days later? I’m a courtroom lawyer with evidence, witnesses, and a closing statement.

HawkPerception · Answer

I can spin a ball on my finger, and switch fingers while spinning it. I can also whistle and imitate many birds after hearing them once pretty well. Sometimes when people hear it, they can't tell it's me doing it until they hear a repeat of every bird call for a while and then they ask "Wait was that YOU?" And then I'm like yeah 😎

EzraIsShy76028 · Answer

I guess perhaps not being able to memorize important stuff like what I learned in school but being always able to perfectly recall SUPER trivial stuff such as all the colors of the m&m's and being able to recall almost all m&m's flavors ever made.

ohsheeT · Answer

Well now we know who shouldn't be eating chips LOL

But you never can tell one of these days you might be in a situation where you have to do that for some odd reason

For me I don't think I have anything that is completely useless

Anything that I can do I'll accept it is not being useless one day there might be a reason for it or that is to teach you something else whatever it might be

AviatorTom · Answer

I can stand a penny and nickel on its edge.

slatyb · Answer

Playing bridge, I can count the cards in my hand by riffling them with my thumb. It took minutes to learn but occasionally someone remarks that they have never seen anyone do that.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I’m really funny but I do not like to tell jokes all the time, because there is so much pain in this world that it seems wrong to make people laugh at and celebrate me just for being funny.

Lliam · Answer

I can rapidly snap three finger consecutively with either hand. I can snap bottle caps and make they fly like frizbees accurately or long distance.

Zack-Bann · Answer

It’s not completely useless but I can memorize every lyric to any song I listen to more than twice. And would still recall all the words even 10 years later

TsundereMatrix · Answer

I remember peoples birthdays before I even can remember their name.  So I may not remember your name but I will remember your birthday 🤣

NoDecision · Answer

Making small nonfat cakes.

Anonymous · Answer

I can peel an orange in my pocket

Just joking🙂
Something I heard once about being mean 🙂

I can go to work next day after getting almost no sleep. Maybe that's useful?
Just is I ever didn't sleep for whatever reason it doesn't stop me next day

Abbycado · Answer

I can tie nautical nots. Not completely useless, but a lot of them are.

Telekinetic-Potato · Answer

I can sleep at red lights at night and open my eyes right when the light turns green

DonaldDarko · Answer

I could tie and untie a knot with my toes before my foot got dislocated in a car wreck.

Agape93 · Answer

My dogs would hate you for that lol  I'm very quiet when I walk, even in autumn

TonyMetal___1986 · Answer

I can open jars of pickles which are extremely hard to open 😁

LiamJHayden · Answer

I can move my eyes more or less independently. I've used it to cause panic more than once by imitating a serious head injury.

fish5505_87 · Answer

I can raise my shoulders so it looks like I have football shoulder pads on, or look like a monster. My nieces and nephews loved it!

astlavista · Answer

Over-observing and comparing small differences in price, rate, and percentage. 😄

fishbone77 · Answer

I’m very good at finding earring backs on the floor.

FrodoSkywalker007 · Answer

How does one open a bag of chips without making a sound? 🤔

DarKnight36 · Answer

I remember everything. This doesn't always work :)

TrueConfection · Answer

I can juggle 🤡

bowenw · Answer

Bat left or right. ⚾

drummerdude25 · Answer

My meme’ing and trolling skills. 😁

SofaKingsMart · Answer

I am fluent in Pig Latin

exitseven · Answer

I can read upside down.

MrChinaski · Answer

I pick things up with my toes.

Sickworld · Answer

I can wiggle my ears

Thecuriousmind1 · Answer

I don't believe you 🤔

glennos89 · Answer

I can open female legs with my imagination 😂

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

There is no such thing as a useless skill.

Taranis_Thunor · Answer

History knowledge

Anonymous · Answer

I can talk just about any woman into bed.

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

I can move my ears

JustAGirl1996 · Answer

I’m able to read the room.

browsingthroughthe · Answer

Writing ✍🏻

Markella83 · Answer

Twirl a pen 🤯

What’s a completely useless skill you’re weirdly proud of 😌?

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