Imagine kids between four and eight years of age who are confident enough to compete without calculators, while working out difficult addition and subtraction questions. This is happening at a mental calculation competition in China's eastern Zhejiang Province.

This contest is conducted without abacuses or calculators. All of the participants figure out the answers with their fingers instead. Most reply within two minutes, even quicker than their parents, who use calculators. What surprises many is that some children can even come up with the answers while skipping rope, and all of their responses are correct. Experts say such skills are good for improving memory, and adding to the interest kids have in learning math.

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