Memory and math

I know that that there are a lot of people who are good at math that are members of this site. So give me your thoughts, is having a good memory a necessity for being good at math? Math requires being able to recall such things as order of operations, theorems, formulas, etc. so it seems to me that someone with a good memory will be better at math, especially when talking math tests.

I usually forget most everything as time passes, so in 3 years a TV show I watched once will seem new again unless I specifically remember it for some reason as a favorite or something. I took a lot of math including calculus, trig, algebra, and geometry, but I can't remember any calculus now. I can't even do much algebra, so I'm stuck in 7th grade math with my calculator and a 4 function spreadsheet. Nobody is revoking diplomas or making people retest for a GED every 10 years to see if they pass.

Quote: technics

I know that that there are a lot of people who are good at math that are members of this site. So give me your thoughts, is having a good memory a necessity for being good at math? Math requires being able to recall such things as order of operations, theorems, formulas, etc. so it seems to me that someone with a good memory will be better at math, especially when talking math tests.
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I think memory works differently from person to person and possibly from culture to culture. I know plenty of people with good memory who aren't great at math, and I don't know enough great mathematicians to say whether they tend to have better-than-average memory. Being skilled in math requires intelligence; I'm not sure about memory.

Quote: technics

I know that that there are a lot of people who are good at math that are members of this site. So give me your thoughts, is having a good memory a necessity for being good at math? Math requires being able to recall such things as order of operations, theorems, formulas, etc. so it seems to me that someone with a good memory will be better at math, especially when talking math tests.
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What kind of math? Why?

If "math" means being handed a set of calculations to complete and being judged on how quickly you return a valid solution, sure. Being able to remember all the various shortcuts and cribs gets you to the answer faster. (This might be the kind of assignment that a gambling team hands to their analyst.)

If "math" means something else, maybe not.

Of the mathematicians I've met, the ones grinding out calculations every day tended to have pretty good memories. The ones who were off the deep end, doing interesting, heavily theoretical stuff, may have had decent memories, but they often didn't let it show.

I think that math is like a language and that interpreting math is like interpreting a foreign language which is definitely something that requires a good memory.

Quote: harris

I think that math is like a language and that interpreting math is like interpreting a foreign language which is definitely something that requires a good memory.
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Does speaking English require a good memory? It's a foreign language to most of the world.

Quote: billryan

Quote: harris

I think that math is like a language and that interpreting math is like interpreting a foreign language which is definitely something that requires a good memory.
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Does speaking English require a good memory? It's a foreign language to most of the world.
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No but spelling correctly kinda does

Quote: harris

Quote: billryan

Quote: harris

I think that math is like a language and that interpreting math is like interpreting a foreign language which is definitely something that requires a good memory.
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Does speaking English require a good memory? It's a foreign language to most of the world.
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No but spelling correctly kinda does
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Around 1972, I memorized the top ten home run hitters of all time. Just now, I pulled that list from distant memory and got it 100% right. Then I tried to list the current top ten home run hitters of all time and completely left off two of the top seven.

Depends on what you mean by "good memory." It helps me that I remember a number of formulas - for example:

1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + ... = 1 / (1 - x), for all x where -1 < x < 1

(1 + 2x + 3x^2 + 4x^3 + ...) = (1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + ...)^2

However, it also helps to know just when to apply certain formulas, and that is more intelligence than memory.

The same thing that makes you good at anything else- confidence, and properly timed aggression. It will rid you of the intrusive thoughts that impair memory.

I was never a great student, but very good at taking tests. Speed (celerity, not the drug) and a violent attitude.

"This @#$%&! had me up studying all night? Try to intimidate me? Watch what I do now, you son of a @#$%&!. HARDER! FASTER! Bring it faster! DO IT!!! The harder and faster I hit, the quicker I knock this @#$%&! out, and I am redeemed." Then when I finish the test in 1/3/ to 1/2 the allotted time, I drop it off at the desk, turn my back and strut off all proud of myself just like after I [self-censored, math geeks aren't amused by that activity.] Never got top scores, there were always a couple of guys more methodical and perfectionist than I in their study habits, but always a very respectable score.

Try it, it works!