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the shelves inside my mind
Nov. 1st, 2004 09:26 pm( where's my head at? )
My sister has a Shelf Theory of Mathematical Retention, to wit: The part of your mind that remembers mathematical calculations has only a limited amount of space, rather like a bookshelf. The amount of shelf space is different for everyone, but it always works the same way: at one point or another, the addition of a "final straw" of advanced math will knock the math you first learned off of the other side.
The result is that you might be able to do, say, advanced calculus, but the second you truly understand it, basic addition and subtraction will fall off the shelf. Hence, my sister got through calculus and then some in college, and hasn't been able to remember her multiplication tables since high school.
Me, my shelf is much smaller - I lost addition/subtraction when I gained geometry and fractions, a fact which came to the fore today when I had to do a bunch of subtraction/addition the old fashioned way: 60 minus 49 equals6 5, carry the one, 10 minus 9.... with the aid of pen and paper, mind, I can't do this in my head anymore!
Ask me to half a recipe or calculate fabric yardage, I'm your girl. How many minutes to bake the cake? Let me get a calculator :P
I think the shelf theory can also be applied to other forms of memory, namely retention of names, dates, and appointments. I thought I had the date shelf under control, but the addition of new dates (when to take my car into the shop, appt. to get my hair cut, etc.) has knocked a few birthdays and probably anniversaries clean off. And my name shelf was never more than about 6" wide at best, I am lucky when I can remember my OWN name :P
Anyone know any brain pushups or similar?
My sister has a Shelf Theory of Mathematical Retention, to wit: The part of your mind that remembers mathematical calculations has only a limited amount of space, rather like a bookshelf. The amount of shelf space is different for everyone, but it always works the same way: at one point or another, the addition of a "final straw" of advanced math will knock the math you first learned off of the other side.
The result is that you might be able to do, say, advanced calculus, but the second you truly understand it, basic addition and subtraction will fall off the shelf. Hence, my sister got through calculus and then some in college, and hasn't been able to remember her multiplication tables since high school.
Me, my shelf is much smaller - I lost addition/subtraction when I gained geometry and fractions, a fact which came to the fore today when I had to do a bunch of subtraction/addition the old fashioned way: 60 minus 49 equals
Ask me to half a recipe or calculate fabric yardage, I'm your girl. How many minutes to bake the cake? Let me get a calculator :P
I think the shelf theory can also be applied to other forms of memory, namely retention of names, dates, and appointments. I thought I had the date shelf under control, but the addition of new dates (when to take my car into the shop, appt. to get my hair cut, etc.) has knocked a few birthdays and probably anniversaries clean off. And my name shelf was never more than about 6" wide at best, I am lucky when I can remember my OWN name :P
Anyone know any brain pushups or similar?
