does maths ability have a shelf life?

[aussielong]

i got an A in maths A-level 15 years ago but didnt touch it since

now i've come back to it and im trying to pick up fairly hard maths in work and im really really struggling to grasp it conceptually

am i out of practice, is "maths thinking" something i can get back into, or have 15 years of living well put it out of reach?

[BlasterBates]

What sort of maths ?

Didn't you do maths at Uni?

No it doesn't have a shelf life but might be something you've never dome accross before

[TheBigYinJames]

am i out of practice, is "maths thinking" something i can get back into, or have 15 years of living well put it out of reach?

Do you also shout at the TV, wee a little when you laugh, and become surprised at the youth of policemen?

You are old!

[scooterscot]

Don't give up, patience is all you need it will soon come back...

[bobsmithldn]

Likewise did A level maths and at uni - did well - but am struggling to make sense of the derivatives maths, can't remember a damn thing ... probably need to start from Bostok & Chandler and upwards again ... init!?!

[Moscow Mule]

I find maths ability to be directly related to the amount you practice.

My ability to do calculus is poor now, even though I managed to pass an Electronic Engineering degree 10 years ago.

If you need it, it will come back if you practice.

[sasguru]

i got an A in maths A-level 15 years ago but didnt touch it since

now i've come back to it and im trying to pick up fairly hard maths in work and im really really struggling to grasp it conceptually

am i out of practice, is "maths thinking" something i can get back into, or have 15 years of living well put it out of reach?

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago. Maths ability does seem to be innate - if you got an A in A-level maths (especially before the education reforms) you probably will have some ability, but you do get slower as you get older - those "ah-ha" moments take longer but are just as rewarding, so give yourself more time
In my case had to go back to revise calculus, matrix theory, differential equations - I enjoyed it quite a bit in the end

[scooterscot]

If it's stats stuff you need PM me I've got some really good presentations from post grad years.

[Xenophon]

In my case had to go back to revise calculus, matrix theory, differential equations - I enjoyed it quite a bit in the end

[scooterscot]

Stop talking about this stuff - next thing I know you'll all be wanting to earn the big bucks...