I have loved numbers for as long as I can remember. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a counter. As a child, I’d count the steps it took to walk to the grocery store. I’d divide my toy soldiers into equally numbered teams. I asked people’s ages and would figure out how many years were between them and me. I was an avid time tracker.
Once first grade hit, it got better. I learned about addition, subtraction, coins, and dollars.
This continued all the way up through Algebra in 8th grade.
I love Algebra. It makes so much sense to me. I use Algebra everyday.
- Comparing prices at the grocery store.
- Figuring out how many 2x4s are needed for a project
- Determining my car’s MPG
- Calculating tips
After Algebra, I learned Geometry. I looked forward to this because everyone I knew said it was so difficult. I was ready for the challenge.
Although I didn’t like having to memorize theorems and proofs, I loved the logic of building a proof from scratch.
Figuring out angles, parallel lines, perpendicular lines, circumferences and triangles was a blast.
Even with all the theory, I could see the practical benefits of geometry in construction, measuring distances and other everyday tasks.
Then came Algebra 2, Trigonometry and finally Calculus.
I aced Algebra 2 and Trigonometry. I was challenged by the work, but couldn’t see much use for either beyond “getting me ready for college”.
Calculus was an entirely different beast. I hated it. To me it was 100% theoretical and had absolutely no real world application that I would use. My teacher’s explanation of “you’ll need this for college” just made me more frustrated.
I had one year of Calculus in high school and took 2 semesters in college. Although I made all A’s and B’s, I cannot remember a single thing I learned in Calculus today. I think I learned Calculus through rote memorization and forgot most it as soon as I finished finals.
For me, Calculus was a difficult and frustrating waste of time and effort that snubbed out my love for higher level math.
Practical Math
As a sales professional, homeowner, investor and all around cheapskate, I use math everyday.
I calculate commissions, time-to-value ratios, hourly rates, lifetime values and interest. I’m constantly comparing costs.
It’s mostly checkbook balancing and basic arithmetic. It’s not intellectually challenging.
I haven’t thought about how much I use to love learning Math for a long time.
But writing this post got me thinking, it might be fun to learn something new about Math.
A quick google search for “Adult Math Challenges” led me here. I played around for about 20 minutes and am pleasantly surprised by the math I remember and the math skills I’ve forgotten that are quickly coming back to me with a few exercises.
I think I might play around with this some more and see if I can find some way to weave more advanced math skills into my daily life.