[Young Werther]

I diss agree!!

Fuzzy math isn't about correct form but correct answers! Fuzzy math algorythms are used in the auto focus function on you camcorder. Real world correct answers are more important than form! I've seen/created great business models. I've also seen the failure of the enterprise regardless. I worked for a company which used my budget models to chart its course from a $100K/month revenue stream to $30 Million per month. We lost focus and just before a downsizing, (and eventual hostile buy out by the competitor who had forced this issue), our VP of Sales/Marketing owed up to his inattention and stated, "Well, I guess I'll have to give up my Friday Golf Games!!!"

He had mucho salary,commissions and stock options and he fled before the fall. The models were good the execution was crap!

[AUgrad]

Thats all well and good. However, for someone who is learning the basics of math, form is very important as it allows the young person to organize information and analyze it which must occur before application, synthesis or evaluation. The example you give is an example of synthesis and evaluation (changing a formula to your specific purpose and then evaluating it's effectiveness) which are great skills but beyond the abilities of most youngsters. Read any math textbook, most begin with a review of the STRUCTURE of math. It's for a good reason.