Thursday, September 01, 2022

Math brains

"Are All Brains Good At Math"

Elizabeth Landau should have been clearer about what math is. Counting ability seems hardwired but needs a language that is the start for math. To be able to understand something in math when it is explained to you is another capacity. Being able to use the abstractions yourself is yet another, and being able to do research a fourth (and much rarer) thing.

The answer to her headline question is, as you instantly guessed, "No." She should have asked some parents about their children and math. Some take to the first three types quite easily, others get the first and sometimes the second but struggle to use the abstractions. Same environment, same genetics--random variation.

I believe we can do much better with the second type (understanding when it is explained) with better explanations. I'm trying some things myself. Youtube has some excellent teachers and animators (motion works so much better than little arrows on a page!)--much better than I. And as far as I can tell, Barbara Oakley is correct--you need a foundation of memorization. Perhaps one can find ways to make the requirements less frightening (timed tests could be scary), but there's no royal road.

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