Re: Patterns & logic, yes; maths no. Different way of learning?

[Anonymous]

This is just incredible, it’s very interesting to hear other people’s experiences/perspective.

I’ve been trying to figure out why I’m so good at some things in math and so bad at basic calculations. I never could memorize formulas in math class, I always depended on understanding the concept and then being able to figure out the formula to get the information I wanted. This has really been a big advantage because it’s harder to forget, and I can still figure things out 20 years later based on concepts. …BUT… when co-workers are trying to figure out (in their heads) the mileage, driver costs, fuel, rental, insurance etc that it costs to make deliveries of our product for instance, I don’t even try anymore. I can’t keep up, I go totally blank. These same coworkers come to me when they need to find the volume or surface area, or anything to do with ratios, angles etc.

I get so bogged down with simple calculations. I remember doing “Mad Minute” or “Mental Math” timed addition,subtraction, multiplication,division worksheets in school and struggling all the way through and being frustrated at such simple questions, especially after grasping the concepts so easily.

Despite my difficulties, I find mathematics to be one of the most interesting subjects.

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