Difficulty in remembering times tables but good at maths?

Question

I find this really weird. I'm 15, and I have problems citing times tables from memory. E.g, to work out the 7 x ,7, I have to do 5 x 7 + 7 + 7. If asked to do times tables, I work them out from quick addition from the little times tables I can cite, which I am quite good at. No body knows this, of course I wouldn't tell anyone in real life. However, I'm better at logical problems in maths and I'm excellent at algebra. I'm so good, according to the teachers, that I've been asked to do a self study maths course in order to do my exam a whole year early. I'm in the minority who have been asked to take it early.

I can't seem to remember any patterns of numbers. We're expected to cite prime numbers, triangular numbers, squared numbers, etc. But I'm good at remembering words, which makes me good at languages.

So, how is it that I can be top of the class at maths, but I have trouble rememberign simple number pattens.

Anybody else has a similar problem? What could cause this?

Answer 1

The only thing that will help you is:
1. Repetition....go over and over and over your times tables....until you are seeing them in your sleep. Use flash cards so you have a visual memory of seeing the answer.

2. It is possible that you are stressing so bad, that you are actually creating your own limits. Relax, and realize that it will become easy. You have to repeat repeat repeat when it comes to Math. You will be an expert in the end.

Answer 2

My daughter (who is 14) is the same. Have you been tested for a learning disability? My daughter was dignosed two years ago with a mathematical visual processing disability, which would explain your problem with patterns. This by no means indicates that your not smart, schools just do not cater to this type of learner and if you were dignosed with a learning disability your teachers would be required to change the curriculum in order to help you.

Answer 3

i have the same prob.. am 19 and i have slightly overcome it by just practice...i donno the cause...i think u can also overcome it. wht i did was...i wrote down the frequently used or needed tables behind my notebook and looked up everytime i needed them...n then eventually tried working without it. time consuming but worked with me...do give it a try...
all the best.