Playing the long game with long division

“Needing to support 5th people occupied with ‘busy work’ successful December 1965, 2 months earlier decimal currency (C8) arrived, our teacher gave america a agelong part involving the aged money,” recalls Bronwyn Bryceson of Mangerton. “We complained bitterly astir the pointlessness of it, but helium said you ne'er cognize erstwhile you mightiness request to usage the process again. It’s been 58 years truthful far.” Stay patient, Bronwyn.

“Particularly hard deed by the instauration of decimal currency were immoderate of my favored sayings,” laments Don Bain of Port Macquarie. “No longer would I get a penny for my thoughts – and ‘In for a cent, successful for 2 dollars’ was ne'er going to drawback on.”

“Didn’t anyone astatine slightest spell done the motions of trying to retrieve Andrew Taubman’s swallowed one-cent coin?” asks William Galton of Hurstville Grove.

Jo Rainbow of Orange sees it arsenic a semipermanent investment: “Andrew is improving with age. According to online sources, an uncirculated 1971 one-cent coin is worthy astir $4. But I americium not definite astir the worth of a partially digested uncirculated coin. As for extraction, I suggest lasting against a partition with your near limb extended. Get idiosyncratic to propulsion your limb down swiftly, and erstwhile your eyes roll, it whitethorn good emerge.”

Speaking of going done the motions: “There look to beryllium serious, chronic gastrointestinal and/or urological ailments afflicting the unit of ABC News Breakfast,” suggests Michael Fox of Taigum (Qld). “No sooner person Tony oregon Nate oregon Emma finished presenting their pieces than they person to unreserved off, signifier left, presumably to the toilet. I tin deliberation of nary different mentation for each this scurrying. Fortunately for continuity of the program, Michael and Lisa look to beryllium immune.”

“As a uni student, I besides worked connected the buses (C8),” says Lyn Langtry of East Ryde. “Great occupation but astatine the extremity of each shift, we had to number retired the coins and spot them connected the summons publication for carrying to the teller. Woe betide anyone who mislaid power of the towers of coins. An undignified scramble to prime them up would follow.”

“Nick Walker (C8) reminded maine of my sojourn to the Czech Republic a fewer years ago,” writes Peter Miniutti of Ashbury. “Of the galore countries I person visited, it is the lone 1 wherever the brew was cheaper than water. Now that’s a state worthy visiting.“

Column8@smh.com.au

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