People who are talented mathematically, do you think in #'s all the time?

Question

i obviously have many talents elsewhere, was never the math wiz type. just curious how you mathematical geniuses think...
I bet you think in a very orderly, systematically fashion, yes? and everything relates to numbers in some way?
Describe you day in thinking in general, what goes thru ur mind day in and day out as far as ur thinking patterns
lol, u probably think i'm nuts, haha.
But i'm CURIOUS :o)
(i'm the creative type to a fault my dear)

Answer 1

Well, I am an Applied Math Major with an interest in Physics (low temperature Physics, Magnetism, astrophysics, and relativity are my favorites). As far back as I can remember, I have been pretty good in math.

Now for what goes on in my head, actually you are quite right. I don't necessarily see everything in terms of numbers (because in upper mathematics, there is no number crunching). But I absolutely do see everything in perfect order and everything must make sense to me. Logic is applied everywhere. Sane decisions must be made.

You see the thing is that man has been blessed with a brain and a heart. Brain is the center of thought, perfect logic, and reasoning, a heartless piece of machinery (literally). Heart on the hand is full of emotions, not just bad ones like hatred, jealousy, greed, but good ones too like love, mercy, and compassion. It wants to act on impulse. Do something just because it "feels" right to you (whatever that means).

The problem comes in when these two collide. Your brain tells you to do one thing and your heart tells you to do another. And more often than not, we humans tend to follow our heart more than our brain. We make irrational, stupid decisions. For this exact reason, we have war, famine, and poverty. We have corruption everywhere. But the solution is not just to rip out your heart because then there will be no humanity left. No one would love another. No one would give charity and help one another. We need mercy more than ever and all hope will be gone otherwise.

So you can see our peril. As much as we would like to, we just can't rip these emotions out of us (and I wouldn't want to either). We make irrational decisions. We get angry and do stupid things. But otherwise, I hate it when I see other people do it. I hate it when people don't want to follow a simple line of logic.

As a mathematician, patterns are something else that I notice and tend to remember. That is why I actually love classical music too. Beethoven, Mozart, J.S.Bach are among my favorites. I love the sketches of M.C.Escher and my art teachers have told me that I am a strict cubist, following in the path of Picasso.

But don't get it wrong, everyone has this notion that you can be good in only one side of your brain. I like reading and writing as well. In fact, reading is one of my most favorite past times. I love literature from various genres including (obviously) science fiction, mysteries, suspense, thriller, and books like The Three Musketeers and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I love nonfiction stuff such as Machiavelli's "The Prince" and a few essays by Henry David Thoreau.

Another aspect is proper communication such as the art of public speaking both to a large group and a small group. One must be able to write well. I would never never never tell anyone to focus only on Math and ignore English. If I am teaching Math to someone, I always stop them and correct their grammar, syntax, spelling, verb usage, sentence structure, etc. I have seen far too many people who are just pure geniuses but they couldn't teach if their life depended on it.

So now that I have explained a bit about what I like, what I dislike and how I do things, maybe you have a better understanding how we alien creatures think. Make no mistake, I am not that different from you. Yes, I do think and remember in numbers. I do recognize, remember, and reconstruct patterns. And yes, I do have nightmares about matrices but if a tall nice blonde with an very nice rack, how can I resist giving her another look.

Hey, I am only human! what do you expect?

(nudge nudge wink wink)
;-)

Answer 2

Believe it or not, but there are a lot of areas of math that do not relate to numbers so much, but to more abstract mathematical concepts. Like surfaces, functions, abstract sets, and mathematical spaces. When I am thinking about math, I am thinking about these.

I don't try to relate all of my thinking to math. I find that when I am thinking about math, it is best for me to tune everything else out and concentrate.

I probably cannot describe my thinking as orderly and systematic, because sometimes I have to chase a wild idea to understand a problem better, and that process might not be systematic.

I am a part time graduate math student, and much of the day I am at work, thinking about work.

Answer 3

My minor is in math and my major in music. When I play the piano sometimes I get my chords mixed up with numbers. Oh boy! I am very orderly and a perfectionist- to the highest degree! I use a lot of math terms even when they don't apply. Like in my english college class, I would always discuss in my essays on how to do an quadratic equation or on f-o-i-l, or whatever. You may think that this next one is weird; I sometimes count my foot steps I take. No I am not crazy and I am not an obsessive complusive person, counting just always comes naturally. Like counting in walking, on the piano, even talking. Very odd, but I am really good at math. Usually if people have any bit of genius in them-especially at science ot math- they are eccentric people-not crazy! Although, I am not great at writing essays and stuff in words-I like numbers. A lot of mathematicians are bad or at least not great in writing.

Answer 4

particular, no and form of! There are some known traits that adult males tend to do greater efficient at spatial maths, and girls human beings tend to greater efficient at language skill. yet how a brilliant number of that's because of the fact of ways our brains artwork, long term social background (the belief being adult males have been hunters and had to apply maps to get around, women human beings tended to type social bonds) and social constructs, so even now there remains a sprint bit gender stuff happening the place in some faculties or some cultures ladies can't be clever and do maths (conversely boys who do abode economivs are gay). women human beings and adult males are the two able to doing any venture. it is in contrast to adult males are greater efficient at maths with tips from ninety% while women persons are a similar for language. reckoning on what's examine it is nearer to 50 / 50 yet there is a few reasonable traits say fifty 5 / 40 5 maths to adult males or language to ladies human beings.

Answer 5

We are much differnt from anyone else. We dotn think in number all the time. I might do it to play around n anoyy friends but that is it. After a while yo begin to realize connections w/ the thigns you learn and the real world. FO me the class tha has been an impact is phscs because you begin to realize what goes on in teh world around you and how everyign is realy connected, like a roller coaster. But we a nto relaly diferent.

Answer 6

If you need help in math, don't be afraid/embarassed to ask for help :-) People who understand and/or enjoy math are creative in various subjects. I'm a creative individual > I've been singing since grade school, my mom taught me to play the piano by ear (without reading notes), I taught myself some Sign Language with a book in grade school, and participated in skits/plays since grade school. I'm very talented in Math, Science, Acting/Drama, Singing, and Creative Writing.

Its funny that you would ask such questions-you make it seem as if Math tutors are rare "case studies." People who understand math are normal people, as anyone else with different passions, interests, goals, etc. The only time I use math is when I deposit my paycheck, count extra cash, calculate how many items I need to purchase in the store, and help others with math....what about you?

Its best to not "stereotype" people based on their abilites, skills, or passions! Obviously, everyone has more than one talent...whether its Physics, Geography, Music, Literature, Acting, Philosophy, etc.

Answer 7

I found, more about physics that once I began the course I looked at the world a lot different.
Seeing cars I understood momentum, velocity, conservation of energy. I knew how power lines worked, transformers, those red light cameras.

It was very eye opening! At night I would even catch myself going over physics equations in my head.

Answer 8

Yeah, I think in numbers a lot. That's how I remember our anniversary, 04/25/01 . They are all perfect squares. I've never forgotten it.

Answer 9

Most of the time, yes

Answer 10

haha we dont relate everything to math and numbers... we are just normal ppl who happen to be good at math... we act no different we think no differently... we are pretty much normal

everyday: talking to my gf, thinking 'bout my gf, looking at my gf, lots of stuff that relates to my gf... and even though we are "blessed" with this "gift" i hate it... being smart really isnt to great... cuz then ppl think you are slow and too smart... is a 6:00 mile slow?? how 'bout a 100 time of 12.7?? slow?? nope... dont stereotyp so much...