why am I rubbish at maths?

[Two_Sheds]

Is it a right brain/left brain thing?

I can spell, construct a sentence etc.
I can remember random idiotic facts from way back.

...but I can't make a simple lined curtain. I followed the instructions (I thought) and took my time. I used a calculator, to make sure.

I've just sewn it all together and ...the fabric side is fine, but the lining has turned out 6" too wide, and 10" too long How do I do it?

I think it's because I can't visualise things in my head, I need to see things on paper (& there weren't photos with my instructions).

I'm the same with crosswords: if someone reads out the clues I can't do it; if I see the clues written down, I can.

I guess tomorrow I'll be re-measuring and re-cutting

[Nicos]

To be honest- you may well have a form of dyscalculia ..it's a form of dyslexia- and very common.
Frustrating isn't it?

...those curtains will look superb when finished

[Brengirl]

Is it a right brain/left brain thing?

I can spell, construct a sentence etc.
I can remember random idiotic facts from way back.

...but I can't make a simple lined curtain. I followed the instructions (I thought) and took my time. I used a calculator, to make sure.

I've just sewn it all together and ...the fabric side is fine, but the lining has turned out 6" too wide, and 10" too long How do I do it?

I think it's because I can't visualise things in my head, I need to see things on paper (& there weren't photos with my instructions).

I'm the same with crosswords: if someone reads out the clues I can't do it; if I see the clues written down, I can.

I guess tomorrow I'll be re-measuring and re-cutting

Seems to me Two Sheds that you have cut the lining to account for turnings rather than the curtain. Nothing lost though - apart from time and hair pulling. Just unpick and make the lining smaller. Wish I could come and do it for you.

[HotStuff]

Are you left or right handed TS?

[shoreham_steve]

So all this time, when we've taken it for granted that you had two sheds...........

[Pies]

Do what my mother does,stick it in the wash and hope it shrinks to size

[Snadger]

To be honest- you may well have a form of dyscalculia ..it's a form of dyslexia- and very common.
Frustrating isn't it?

...those curtains will look superb when finished

And fitted on the dolls house windows!!!!!!!!

[Bren In Pots]

Look on the good side at least you didn't cut them too narrow or too short

[Two_Sheds]

you may well have a form of dyscalculia

Nah: I can add up in my head, do vertical sums etc.
I just run into trouble with making things. It's converting 2D instructions into 3D projects that I can't cope with

you have cut the lining to account for turnings rather than the curtain.

Dunno what happened. Reading again, it says cut the lining the same width as the finished curtain. But I *think* I cut the lining the same size as the curtain+hems

Are you left or right handed TS?

Right

So all this time, when we've taken it for granted that you had two sheds...........

I definitely have 2 sheds, I can see 'em

[OllieMartin]

I have a similar problem TS. I regularly have to remember a 4-digit gate code that changes twice a week. If I don't see it written down and someone just tells me it I have to punch it into an imaginary keypad in the air several times otherwise I just forget it straight away.

Like me you're probably an Activist and/or Pragmatist learning style. E.g. you have to either try it out yourself or relate to a theory in the real world before you grasp it. Rather than being a Reflector or Theorist who would learn from either watching someone else do something or just from reading a book.
It's good to know your own learning style, that way you'll know if you're going to be able to grasp something or not because of how it's delivered.

[Brengirl]

I have a similar problem TS. I regularly have to remember a 4-digit gate code that changes twice a week. If I don't see it written down and someone just tells me it I have to punch it into an imaginary keypad in the air several times otherwise I just forget it straight away.

Like me you're probably an Activist and/or Pragmatist learning style. E.g. you have to either try it out yourself or relate to a theory in the real world before you grasp it. Rather than being a Reflector or Theorist who would learn from either watching someone else do something or just from reading a book.
It's good to know your own learning style, that way you'll know if you're going to be able to grasp something or not because of how it's delivered.

I like that Ollie. Never thought of myself as being an Activist. I google it and sure enough that's me. Strengths and weaknesses. My OH has always thought me crazy but I can now correct him.

[matthew2riches]

I was making a wooden cabinet and followed all the instructions, etc and once I had cut all the pieces, they didn't fit together!!!

I then realised the tape measure was stretching and making the tape a different length everytime so the measurement was never actually right :-)

[Hilary B]

Not a 'understanding instructions' problem, but I find I remember things better if I have written it down. It doesn't matter if I lose the piece of paper; it is the act of writing which 'fixes' it in my memory (not infallible, but better than anything else).
If I've got clear instructions, written or pictorial, I can have a go without too much bother. When it has been 'translated from Japanese to Dutch by a Korean rice-picker' (I think that is the correct quote, but the gist of it is right anyway), I tend to be too busy giggling to understand.....

[moola]

I can't do simple maths even though I get the big theories etc. Ask me to do ratios/volumes/converstions oooolalaaaaaa! a no go. Failed twice at GCE but high marks for finance at msc level. A couple of years ago I tried AGAIN with learning direct and even with a multiple choice set up I was flummoxed...