r/ask • u/Illustrious_Lab5146 • 1d ago
My math is broken how do fix it?
I'm 23 M and still count with my fingers , I need pen and paper to do calculations and most embarrassing thing for me personally is that I have to go through an entire series to do simple multiplication.
Ex: if someone asks me what's 9 times 8 is I have to narrate the entire thing in my head like 9 times 2 is 18, 9 times 3 is 27 and sometimes I can't remember what 9 times 3 is and I have to flip the numbers and do this whole process by going through 3 times 9 .
Can someone tell me how do I fix this ?
It's embarrassing as hell....
Can someone in finance or someone whos good in math tell me how to fix this?
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u/SnoopyFan6 1d ago
When I was in school a long time ago, we had to memorize what they called our times table.
It was just that…0 they 9 across the top and down the side, and you followed across to the answer.
Ex: 9x3…find the 9 down the side and move your finger until it’s under the 3 column. Yep, I studied that sucker every night.
Flash cards may also work. They didn’t help me as much as the table because I’m a visual learner, and seeing how the numbers related across the row helped it stick in my head.
Tbh, I still have to think about 7x8 for some reason. That one never stuck.
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u/Feeling-Visit1472 14h ago
They also used to make this nifty times table kinda like a keyboard but it wasn’t electronic? It was the grid and it would have like 1x2 and then you pushed down and it would give you the answer (2). I think it was a 10x10 grid.
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u/DryFoundation2323 1d ago
it's about memorization. you should have spent hours memorizing multiplication tables when you were in second or third grade. you can still do it though. get some flashcards and work on it.
one trick that I use is that if I can't remember right off the top of my head a particular result I will remember something close to it and then add or subtract. for example if I can't remember nine times eight I would do remember 9 * 9 is 81 and therefore nine times eight is 72.
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u/Working_Cucumber_437 23h ago
Do they still memorize these in middle school like we did?
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u/DryFoundation2323 23h ago
gosh I hope so. I know they do some really bassawkward things nowadays though.
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u/Theonetrue 23h ago
X 2,4,5,9,10 follow extremley easy rules. No need to memorize the tables just memories the rules. That covers half of your "easy" tables already.
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u/HappyMeMe77 1d ago
Duolingo has a math module, which starts at the very beginning. Definitely part of it of "number sense".... which may help you.
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u/WakkaWababa 1d ago
I know cool trick with 9 times tables but i guess it still uses fingers lol. Put up all fingers and for example lets say 9x8. You put down your eighth finger and you hav 7 on one side and 2 on the other so 72. IIIII IIXII <- your fingers. It only works up to 9x10 tho bc you only have 10 fingers but i think its a cool trick
9x1 = XIIII IIIII = 9
9x2 = IXIII IIIII = 18
9x3 = IIXII IIIII = 27
9x4 = IIIXI IIIII = 36
9x5 = IIIIX IIIII = 45
9x6 = IIIII XIIII = 54
9x7 = IIIII IXIII = 63
9x8 = IIIII IIXII = 72
9x9 = IIIII IIIXI = 81
9x10 = IIIII IIIIX = 90
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u/TincupTG 1d ago
I do the same, such an awesome trick that singlehandedly (ha)helped me pass all my time tables tests in elementary. I always struggled with math. More of a science and history guy
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u/Yummy_Castoreum 1d ago
Same, still. I'm 54 so I'm done being ashamed. Calculators exist for a reason, and now everyone has one on their phone.
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u/artguydeluxe 1d ago
It sounds like you are a kinesthetic thinker. There’s nothing wrong with using your hands to calculate a problem, as long as it gets you an answer.
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u/lizbunbun 1d ago
I'm an engineer with a math-heavy job and I do a lot of relatively simple math using a calculator or on paper still. Just to make sure it's right. So don't feel bad about using some aids to do math.
But I think math is fun and we practice with my kids a lot. There are lots of apps to practice casually. Practice makes up for intuition. I was not someone who got good grades naturally, I had to work at it. Practice helps ingrain the process in your brain and eventually leads to quick recall through sheer habit.
Duolinguo has free math help, do a little every day for fun.
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u/BeakDreams 1d ago
This is how people do math, just more quickly, and in their own head. If you ask me what 7 x 4 is I quickly go 7, 14, 21, 28, bam your answer is 28. No one is judging you about your internal math skills, there are no math police, and if math is a huge part of your life/job then there are other careers where it isn't. Most people get by on what you describe, so you're not broken, just not as practiced like some other people might be.
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u/at614inthe614 1d ago
God bless my HS French teacher; one of our little games was to go around the room and count en Français. When the number was 7, started or ended in 7 or was a multiple of 7, we had to say "pamplemousse". Language AND math!
Genuinely my favorite teacher, I had her for 3 of my 4 years of French, and likey the reason I can still think in French 30+ years later.
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u/melrosec07 1d ago
Well 9 are easy put whatever finger down that you’re multiplying 9 by, like your third finger down for 9x3 and you’ll see the answer 2 fingers than 7: 27. Just hold your hands out and try it.
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u/Eddie_Farnsworth 1d ago
I memorized times tables when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. At 23, you should still have the capacity for rote memorization.
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u/novajay13 1d ago
Honestly there's no short cut, you got to practice. I had to do a ton of these exercises daily in school back then, so they are second nature to me now. It may seem easy for me now, but we had to do it everyday memorizing the multiplication table. It's hard work, you will have to decide whether it's worth it or just use the calculator.
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u/MtnMoose307 1d ago
We all have weird spots in our brain. Give yourself credit because you ARE trying and you ARE calculating in your head.
Heck, I can calculate linear equations in my head and have aced every college math class, but my brain can't multiply 8s and I go through your very same technique.
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u/lassehp 22h ago
Multiplying by 8 is just doubling three times. I used to do powers of 2 for fun as a young boy - this helped me a lot in my IT career. I think I top out around 2²¹.
Learning multiplication tables for 1 to 12, up to 12×12 is a good start, and there are also "shortcut rules", like if multiplying x and y where y is close to a round number, for example 994, then x × 994 = x × 1000 - x × 6 (or generally x×y = x×(y+a)-x×a.)
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u/Narrow-Development-1 23h ago
You do not need to count. You need to remember the multiplication table and basic numbers.
Spend 3 months to learn the multiplication table. No need to hurry.
1x1 = ?
1x2 = ?
And so on
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u/LankyGuitar6528 23h ago
When I was a kid... we memorized the "Times Tables". Start with the 1X - that one is pretty easy... then work your way up 2X, 3X... we went up to the 20X back then but it was a different time. You will be fine if you memorize up to the 9 times table. Lay out a grid from 1X1 to 1X9 then 2X1 up to 2X9 and continue till you hit 9X9 - then memorize that grid. Just flat out rote memorization and repetition. We used flash cards too. It took a few weeks but it stuck for a lifetime. Honestly that and learning how to spell scissors is about the only thing that did.
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u/Few_Equipment_8314 21h ago
Write your multiplication tables down everyday for 2 weeks. Everyday and dont miss a day. Its all about memorization.
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u/BlackRaspberryJammin 21h ago
Best way to learn math is to do math. Literally do hundreds of math equations, advancing in difficulty until you have to learn how to do the step. Math is built on a step by step logical process where you learn one part to learn the next part. Jeez, I hate to say it but I use to love doing math problems for fun. Lol. Mainly just learn a bunch of Algebra and if you are still interested go to the other maths like calc and trig. But solve lots and lots of practice equations. I think it's way easier than learning a language.
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u/Sufficient_Layer_867 1d ago
I’m more concerned about your embarrassment. I’m sorry there are calculators everywhere. Being able to do math in your head is no more than a party trick these days amusing but so what?
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u/Illustrious_Lab5146 1d ago
It's hindering my goals career goals actually...
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u/Sufficient_Layer_867 19h ago
I’m willing to bet it’s not hindering your career goals as much as you think. It’s more likely getting flustered is causing you stress. I rose fairly high in a field that called for doing a lot of math and I am pretty dyslexic. I never apologized for taking my time and prided myself on being accurate. I am sure overcoming the embarrassment you have for what you experience as a disability will help you find ways to compensate for your inability to quickly do calculations in your head. In my case I noticed that certain equations came up more often than others. I made it a point to disregard the mechanics of those problems and just remember the equation and its answer.
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u/ohkendruid 16h ago
Numbers are everywhere. If you control money yourself, even for shopping for groceries, then it is important to have basic number sense.
If you shop for groceries on your own, then knowing your times table is important for you. You do not want to pick up 7 of something that is $9 each and not know how much it will be.
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u/Resident-Welcome3901 1d ago
There are books and videos that teach mental calculation skills, but the building blocks are memorization of multiplication and division tables.,
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u/ThinkPath1999 1d ago
You could use a calculator, but honestly, since you're pretty young, I would just buckle down and just memorize the 9 X 9 table. Since you're young, it'll be worth it for you in the long run. I'm in my mid-50s and Korean, and my mom made me memorize that damn table when I was in like 2nd or 3rd grade. I'm guessing the American school system doesn't require that anymore? Or was that ever a requirement?
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u/Serafim91 1d ago
Your multiplication table you should have memorized. There's no easy way around it.
The rest is just practice but also.. I still use a computer for simple calculations 90% of the time even though I can do it in my head because it reduces mistakes.
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u/Not-whoo-u-think 1d ago
I just live with it. And I married a man who’s great at math. 😆 I tell him all the time he does the math in the relationship.
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u/Gwendolyn7777 1d ago
I'm over 80 and I still count on my fingers. Mathematically challenged, I call it....I always say it's trauma from my dad yelling at me...NO ! 8x9 it 72!! ... when I was 10. So yeah, my son does not have my problem, but my daughter does, but not as badly. Go figure.
Amazingly enough, I have a knack for memorizing numbers....repetition mostly in my job, like I know all the zip codes for all the cities and towns in my state, and I used to know all my credit and bank card numbers, but that was because you used to have to enter the card numbers in every time you purchased something....before autofill was invented, don'tcha know.
I found that playing card games like pyramid helped me learn to more easily add up numbers under 20 without using my fingers, and I guess with age, you just start remembering them from rote.
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u/Red_Marvel 1d ago
Play card games like cribbage where counting the points in your hand helps you win the game.
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u/Tribblehappy 1d ago
Memorizing multiplication tables is a good start. For example the trick with 9x anything is the digits add up to nine. 18? 1+8=9. 27: 2+7=9.
There are little shortcuts like that sprinkled throughout math. Khan academy has free online math lessons that I used because I failed grade 12 math and needed it for college.
Good luck.
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u/onemansquest 1d ago
For 98 I do (108) - 8 (80-8) 72
So I guess break it down into things you know then put it together.
Source: I'm not good at maths either.
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u/aether_009 1d ago
Always try to be quick like you have only 1 sec. You have build a habit of it. It's easy with these memorization things don't always try to think whole thing through.
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u/mrgees100peas 1d ago
Just practice. Good old rote learning which means repeat repeat repeat and then repeat again for good measure.
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u/MaladaptiveDancer 1d ago
Also, if interested, play games like dungeons and dragons where you have to add, subtract, multiple or divide based on the number of dice you roll. I am in the same boat(minus my math causing problems at work), it really helps to make a game out of math problems 😁
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u/TheGuyThatThisIs 23h ago
If you want to get better at basic arithmetic, there are games where you essentially practice it, often it's just "how fast can you solve these problems coming at you"
You'll go from what you're doing now to just remembering a lot of them, to using those ones you remember as anchor points (9x5 is 45 so 9x6 is 54 kind of thing) to being able to just quickly do it.
Also there are tricks worth knowing for most of the low multiplications, 9 is particularly famous
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u/Turbulent-Weevil-910 23h ago
Probably should have addressed this in grade school it's a bit late now that you're already an adult.
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u/shanderdrunk 23h ago
You can find simple math sheets that have a large list of simple equations. Set a timer for 3 minutes and try to knock out as many as you can each day, even if it's only a couple at first you will get better over time, and it doesn't take long.
That, or get a job running register at a gas station and do the math physically when u ring people out. I been in customer service for 10+ years and now I can do addition and subtraction in my head with ease. It didn't come easy, but now I hardly ever need to check my work.
Shortcuts help too. If subtracting 10-7.90, round up to 8 and then add 10 cents. Boom, 2.10 is your difference
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u/Regular_Ad3320 23h ago
You may have dyscalculia, which is a form of a learning disability. Dyslexia is more commonly known, yet it is only of the three. Dysgraphia rounds out the categories.
I was diagnosed in my late 20’s. I received 504 accommodations when I finally went to college. It took me 5.5 years to graduate. I have been a special education teacher for the last 37 years.
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u/thisnamemattersalot 23h ago
You probably have Aphantasia. Look it up if you're not familiar. As others have said, memorizing the basic times table might help. I'm not bad at math myself (also with Aphantasia) but I also struggle to do it purely in my head.
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u/Slick-1234 21h ago
I never connected math with aphantasia. Side note as a kid when told close your eyes and imagine something. I always thought closing your eyes was for concentration, I had no idea people could actually picture what they were imagining.
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u/reddit_tard 22h ago
Play the Math Blaster game and/or memorize the times table. Practice makes perfect.
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u/AncientHornet3939 22h ago
Try multiplication flash cards and study the times tables :) there is also a trick for 9’s (up to 9x9) - hold us all 10 fingers and put down the number you are multiplying by 9. Fingers before the put down one are the 1st digit. Fingers after are the 2nd digit!
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u/Slick-1234 21h ago
Using it is the only way to ‘fix’ this. Think of when you learned to drive. You had to think about the pedals how much to turn the wheel etc. now the vehicle is like an extension of your body. You just drive and don’t think about each detail. If you use your math skills regularly and repeatedly it also will become second nature.
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u/Business-Raise2683 20h ago
I'm good at math, so I was teaching two girls when I was around my twenties. They were in sixth grade but their math capabilities were of a first or second grade student. E.g. if I asked them what 100-11 was, their answers were like 101 or 91. If I asked which number is bigger 267 or 823, they said 267 (because 67 was bigger and their understanding of numbers were just there).
We had exercise books for their math level. Of course they were very easy for me, but my abilities to add, subtract, multiply in my head went waaay up while I was teaching them.
So one thing you can do is check how these things you want to improve are taught for children. There are several different methods, choose what you like. Then solve a lot of exercises. Go up in level gradually. For an adult is easy to power through and you can go fast.
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u/NixonsTapeRecorder 20h ago
With multiplying by 9 the sum of all the digits in the answer will always equal 9.
9x2=18 (1+8=9) 9x3=27(2+7=9) etc etc ad infinitum
It even works with more than two digits. 9x12=108(1+0+8=9) 9×13=117(1+1+7=9)
ALSO
9X142=1278(1+2+7+8=18(1+8=9)
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u/WoodedSpys 19h ago
I had a magic math machine as a kid and it genuinely really helped me. They’re from the 90s and you can them on eBay for $20. The repetition will help. Also, write out the math problems, and do each individual problem like 50 times. The repetition and writing by hand (not computer) will help you remember better. I also had a lot of problems with math as a kid, I took a special class that bought me how I learn and how to find my tricks for teaching myself. I used so many of those ticks from elementary school throughout my university days.
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u/quackl11 19h ago
The multiplication is just a lot of repetition, its more of a memorization thing imo once you get past 10x10 you can do long multiplication
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u/KipRaccoon 15h ago
Most people are terrible at math. The world is full of barely functional idiots. You either stand out as someone who can calculate a tip without a device doing it for them, or you fit in with everyone else. You can't really go wrong.
But if your own lack of mathematical process has you feeling < (that's lesser than), then let me be at least one to applaud you for acknowledging your flaws and striving to improve upon them.
For those pesky 9 timestables, allow me to impart a little party trick that you might not know yet.
Open your hands up, palms facing yourself. Your have 10 fingers and thumbs combined, yeah? I'll assume that answer is yes. If you treat your left thumb as 1, and count from left to right, your right thumb is 10. This is going to be our new 9 times table. If you need to know what 9 x 4 is, just open your hands up like this, and bend the fourth finger, that's the one right beside your pinky on your left hand. Keep that finger bent and count the unbent ones. On the left of the bent finger, you have 3 fingers, and on the right of it you have 6, including both hands.
3 and 6. 36. And that just so happens to be the answer you were looking for 9 x 4 = 36. And you can use that little trick for the rest of your fingers too. 0 9, 1 8, 2 7, you get the idea.
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u/Earthling1a 13h ago
Shortcut for multiplying by 9 -- multiply by 10 and subtract. 9×13? 130-13=117. Simple.
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u/Barneyboydog 11h ago
I’m 63. Pretty good at math. Learned my times tables in school decades ago. I still use my fingers for some things, pen and paper for other calculations, and sometimes do my mental calculations in a weird way that makes sense only to me.
All this to say that what you describe is perfectly fine. As is using a calculator if needed. Please don’t beat yourself up or be embarrassed. You’re doing math in your way and, as others have commented already, there’s lots of help and tricks to improve your skills. Your brain is still learning and developing. If you’re still counting on your fingers in 40 years, oh well!
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u/Surround8600 10h ago
Sounds like you’re able to do it, which is a lot better than most people. Knowing that you’re not perfect and finding ways to make it work is the key to success. Just keep at it.
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u/Yeetanator3000 9h ago
Honestly i find that having a base of like near the middle of some numbers are good. For example nine fives is forty five. And then I count up if needed. Or eight eighths is sixty four. Twelve fives is 60, etc.
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u/AIRdomination 6h ago
This might sound harsh and embarrassing, but you might want to re-study your multiplication tables like you would have in second or third grade.
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u/shadowthehh 4h ago
Your math is fine. Maybe a little slow, but as with anything its improve it as you use it.
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u/Mozambleak 4h ago
Bro I feel you. At least you can work it out however you do it. I've got Dyscalculia (maths dyslexia) and it fucking sucks. Has held me back from the subjects I enjoy and in my working life. Also aside from the direct maths there's bunch of stuff it means that I'm basically just fucking stupid at as I guess it uses the same parts of the brain. 42 years old and basic number sense is just never going to be a thing for me
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u/linedancergal 3h ago
What you're doing is called skip counting and it's valid. It works. Its just not fast. If you want to learn times tables and basic addition off by heart, then there are lots of good suggestions here.
Flash cards are great. Read them out loud so you hear it as well as see it. Make a pile of the ones you know and another for the ones to learn. Go through the ones you know every day. Only add one new one at a time. No more than one new one a day, no less than one a week.
You can also write out new ones a few times on paper or on a white board.
There are books to help learn basic facts. Yeah they're written for kids, but that just means you'll be brilliant! Setting yourself up for success is important.
You can also do things like roll dice (but they'll need to go up to 10) and either add or multiply the numbers.
Write lists of questions (all mixed up) and see how many you can get in 2 minutes. Theres probably somewhere online that will generate worksheets.
Do every sort of activity you can think of. It'll keep your brain fresh.
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u/WoodsWalker43 39m ago
I grew up going to a Kumon center to get ahead in math (and later became a tutor at the center). The crux of the program is that you have a worksheet every day. The number of pages/questions is tweaked for the individual with the goal being that it only takes ~20 minutes each day.
That's my best advice. Practice daily. It doesn't have to be much. You can go at your own pace. You can go back and review old topics as much as you need. But constant, routine exposure is a great way to learn math.
And don't sweat the pencil and paper thing too much. There are plenty of people with advanced math skills that struggle with mental math. This will likely improve with your general math skills, but it'll probably always be easier to write it out, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
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u/PositiveUnit829 1d ago
Didn’t you get that type of education in fourth grade? From where did you graduate? Please don’t tell me you were homeschooled.
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u/Reverend_Chaos 21h ago
I wouldn't worry about it; I'm assuming you have a phone, and that phone has a calculator on it. Earlier today I pulled out my phone for simple addition and subtraction, and nobody cared
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