Anyone still struggle with numbers?

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

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My lack of understanding numbers and ability to do mental arithmetic has troubled me for years.

I can do basic addition/subtraction and work out percentages in my head but ask me to do multiplication or division and my mind goes blank. When I'm under pressure, it's even worse...say someone asks me what xyz plus xyz is out the blue...my brain dies.

I can read/do the balance sheet for the company and work things out with a calculator and a spreadsheet but it doesn't come easily or naturally. You'd think it would get better over the years...

Embarrassingly, I also failed maths at school! Thankfully I've got by in life and done okay.. :p
 
Doesnt this show why it is important to be taught maths to a good level at school.

Perhaps you should sit a maths GCSE/A-Level as a distance learning course or something?
 
We all have out strengths and weaknesses, I guess maths just isn't your thing.

For me, it's spelling. Luckily, spell check has got my back 99% of the time.
 
My maths is horrendous. The other day I had to google to look up how to work out a diameter of something. I found a website which did it for me. I had trouble believing it so asked my girlfriend to use a ruler and draw it out (she was at home) and she thought I was joking :(

She then figured it out pretty much in her head in seconds.

However when it comes to writing a posh sounding letter, I don't even need to think about it.

All about strengths and weaknesses.
 
Jez said:
Doesnt this show why it is important to be taught maths to a good level at school.

Perhaps you should sit a maths GCSE/A-Level as a distance learning course or something?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily as it hasn't hindered me in achieving anything to date. As i said, I can read numbers(albeit probably not as quickly as others) when they are written down, I just can't do sums on the fly the way others can.
 
I failed maths at school but passed an A Level equivalent maths course during my R.A.F. training. That was a few years ago though and to be honest I think I've forgotten most of what I learned. Like others have said, calculators FTW!
 
The brain is like a muscle, it needs to be exercised regularly. I used to be really good at it (beaten into us at school) and then didn't need it particularly for years. It woke up again since my girls went to school - but they are still way quicker. I'm stuffed when calculus comes up.

You are also working at a higher level - the arithmetic of a balance sheet is easy, but try explaining net assets vs current liabilities, shareholder reserve account and so on and most people's eyes will glaze over.
 
That's an excellent way to put it peterwalkley. It's the same for me, when I work on maths skills I'm good but I need to see what I'm doing, I can't do too much in my head. The longer I go without using certain maths skills I forget them.

Algebra for some reason is one that sticks with me.
 
I've always been terrible at mental arithmetic, and have a dislike for maths in general. It's just one of those things I've written off as I just don't get it, this is why calculators exist.
 
You could check out some mental maths books -

Secrets of Mental Math by Arthur Benjamin
The Trachtenberg Speed System of Basic Mathematics by Jakow Trachtenberg
 
Not too bad actually though I know many are not. Partly how much you are interested in it, people seem to think maths is boring and pointless at a young age and hence don't practise much, maybe there is a natural talent aspect and partly the traits handed down to you all count toward your current skills. Managed to plough through three years of maths at Uni, long time ago but don't remember needing to do much mental arithmetic, that why calculators were invented.

Ask me to draw however and I can offer you a stickman just about, different sides of the brain, I believe maths and analytical stuff to the right, I don't even think the left side of my brain works anymore.

But as I said enthusiasm is a key ingredient as with most other things in life.

I remember reading years ago that we only use 1% of our brains capability, I can totally believe this.
 
Same as you OP, somehow scrapped a mid level grade at school but Maths in general has never clicked with me.

Luckily Google has got my back :o
 
Maths is a language, if you learn a bit then dont practice or use it on a regular basis then its going to get rusty.

Tbf if your life has you in a position where maths skills arent important then you shouldnt be worried about it.
 
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