Thank the gods there's name for it. The mathematical sciences are an arcane mystery to me.

I had the arse belted off me in maths classes at school. To this day I require a six figure telephone number to be set out in two threes.

I did, amazingly, pass 'O' level maths, at the fourth attempt, but I remain convinced to this day that I got through only on the sympathy vote. 'O' level - that dates me, don't it ?

And if I have to do multiplications or divisions - thankfully, occasions are rare - I prefer to do it longhand, or using my trusty slide rule, than a calculator.