Why is it difficult for most to say the alphabet backwards but easy to count that way?

Question

Always curious about that...

Answer 1

because no teacher ever teaches how to say it backwards. why would they? they only thing you need it for is DWI tests.

Answer 2

1.PRACTICE
Repetition is necessary to count or recite backwards with facility.
We have less practice in reciting the alphabet backwards, so it is more difficult.
To see improvement, practice.

When you try, you will find that even thinking of the alphabet backwards is a challenge.

2.ORDINAL VERSUS SERIAL LEARNING
We learned numbers ordinally, that is, in order: The order of the number in the list is important. It is the cue for the number that is in the position either before or after.
So, it is easy to think of the order of numbers in either direction, almost as if we could see the list of numbers in our mind.

On the other hand, we learned the alphabet serially: That is, each letter is a cue for the next letter in the series. Since we did not learn the position of the letters, they are not cues for the letter positioned before it. It is as if we can hear the alphabet letters in our mind, but not see them. Hence it is difficult to recall what comes before a letter; we only know the series in one direction.

3.NEW LEARNING
To learn the alphabet backwards, we have to learn a completely new series.

Answer 3

Because we learned out alphabet with the alphebet song. Numbers were learned just by counting. This makes it harded to say the alphabet backwards.

Answer 4

The use of subtraction in calculations has conditioned us to think about numbers going backward. Letters and words are never used this way so it is difficult for our brain to put them in a reverse order. The best way to improve this ability is practice. For a new challenge, try alternating letters from the beginning and end of the alphabet, a-z-b-y-c-x...........

Answer 5

It's a matter of reference. Think about it ! How often in your lifetime have you been asked to count backwards but not asked to do the alphabet backwards ? Start practicing and it will become just as easy. It doesn't seem "normal" because it's not a "natural" thing to do !

Answer 6

well as children our parents would count backwards when we were bad it kinda stuck in our heads but the alphabet is never said backwards unless the police want it lol ive never tried or had to say it backwards but im always counting down backwards cool question never thought about it before

Answer 7

You are taught the alphanet from a to z.
With numbers you are taught to use them in all combinations.
For example: in school you are taught to count backwards and not to say the alphabet backwards. It is a learned condition.

Answer 8

it is easy to count backwards but hard to say the alphabet backwards because when we practice subtraction our brain must count so many numbers in reverse to get the answer, but when using the alphabet, your brain simply goes down the line of letters until it gets what it wants to use.

Answer 9

Learnd process consisting of cultur, rhyming, and repetiveness. Try saying the last three letters backwards-- I bet ya did it without hesitation. it is a conundrum that we have all tried to transpose, stopping at x and saying it's stupid or not worth it, (A waste of our time) But there are exceptions. You don't know Donnie Zaminski??? I think he can say it backward faster than forward. Also why is it easy to count backward. Because there is a need, ex: subtraction, there is no need to learn the abc's backward

Answer 10

we all learn the alphabet one way, we never try to say the alphabet backwards. We do learn to count from lower to higher numbers, as well as count down from higher tolower numbers. WE just don't practice saying the alphabet forward and backward.

Answer 11

Personally I think for me, it's because I learned the alphabet from that stupid songa nd have trouble breaking from the rhythm. I know all the letters and I can spit them out whenever but if I have to do it in a sequential order that doesn't have any sort of hallmarks in my mind, I'm gonna have trouble. Why would some people have trouble doing the alphabet all odd-numbered ones then the evens?