if you're still trading in a pit then fast mental arithmetic is essential. However, the order flow now is electronic and computers do the number crunching and marketmaking. The human makes sure the programs do not crash and changes some parameters
I also think this is important. The desire to win can play an important role in this game. But its not the end all be all. I played several sports at a high level, that didn't stop me from blowing huge amounts of money unnecessarily. Many other factors are involved.
Good thing there's more than one way to skin the market... You'd have missed bigtime on me. I was once offered a job as a forensic chemist, won 3 divisons of the US Investing Championships, and had a #1 rated investment advisory service for 5 years. And, "fast arithmetic" plays zero factor in my method. (BTW... Logic is not my short suit.) Sounds like your ego is WAAAY bigger than your ability.
if your scalping...holding stock for a couple seconds to a minute..well, whats 20.55 - 19.17 * 1200 - 10 ?...huh..AHH! too late, the answer is 1646.00. You will have to do this kinda stuff in your head in a matter of seconds for every trade you take. Which is why I dont scalp. - nate
I traded equity options in the pit and math is NOT that important, yes you have to figure your hedge deltas quickly, price spreads, and monitor put-call parity relationships, but seriously, taking advantage of resting orders, fading smart orders, pushing long gamma winners, covering poor positions, and overall risk management most important things. Screen based=math less important.
I havent traded options for a living, but on the screen during the day, I'm guessing its like poker. Is this at all accurate?
Are you sure this is right? -2 for a wrong answer and -1 for a missed question seems to make more sense. I'm going to do the test in a few weeks. Do you have any more info about the first test and the kind of questions (relative more multiplying or subtracting questions, etc.) And do you have an idea about how the 2nd and 3rd test will look like? Thx in advance
Actually i think you'll find the answer to that problem is -22993.45 Try this... 20.55 - (19.17*1200) - 10, that is the order of operations...
Or what about: (20.55-19.17)1200 - 10 which is 1646. --- Yes, but because other posters have said that math skillz in trading arnt "that important", my mistake is now void