This is a very interesting question. I am exactly the opposite: I have trouble doing arithmetic in my head, and I am slower at it than anyone I know. Being slow has perhaps forced me to be patient, and to think slowly and logically about math problems. As a result, I am very good at math and problem solving, though I am not fast. I am usually beat out in my answers to questions on this math forum, particularly when they are more basic questions, where others can give the same answers, but faster.
You might be interested in a genius named Daniel Tammet (see wiki article):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Tamm…
He memorized pi to 22 thousand digits, and can take complex square roots in his head almost instantaneously. But he cannot really give a good explanation of his method. He somehow links numbers to shapes and colors, but mathematicians don't really know what he is doing in his brain.
You might be interested in a genius named Daniel Tammet (see wiki article):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Tamm…
He memorized pi to 22 thousand digits, and can take complex square roots in his head almost instantaneously. But he cannot really give a good explanation of his method. He somehow links numbers to shapes and colors, but mathematicians don't really know what he is doing in his brain.
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I graduated high school back in 2005, and I used to get in trouble ALL the time because I can do just bout any math....I just can't do it on paper. I do it in my head quick but don't know where to start with pencil and paper!!!
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you don't work hard enough at it?