Thank you to ALL who contributed here, and for many reasons. (Too many to mention).
I also thank 'EEVBlog' for bringing up a good point..... (As well as 'Sagan's level in his year).
That being that 'US' adults think we remember the 'basics', but how quickly we forget without 'Revision' xx
No-one is 'supposed' to instantly know what 36 x 46 is, without WORKING IT OUT, (without aid xx).
Again... the 1st step is obviously '6 x 6', for which there is no 'help' but KNOWLEDGE, unless counting 'beans'.
MOST adults "know", that 6 x 6 = 36. And 8 x 8 = 64. And 7 x 5 =35......, but this is not regimented now.
MANY kids, in what ever year, DO understand this, because SOMEONE drummed it in to them, and that's good.
However, it is by far lacking today, in general basic education. Please push this with kids/grandkids