Am I too old

[ObelixtheGaul]

To beat my maths demons? I have always been awful at it. Got diagnosed with Dyscalculia in my 20s. Now at aged 50 it still bothers me that I struggle with basic maths. I've spent my life avoiding any work that makes a point of referencing good 'numeracy', because I know I haven't got it.

Having lived (and managed to be employed) for this long with very low maths skills, I still wonder what I might have achieved if I didn't have what has turned into almost a phobia. Even after all these years, I am embarrassed and ashamed at how bad I really am. I can't do even simple addition and subtraction in my head.

Can anyone relate?

Similar age. It’s mortifying. I’ve spent years hiding my inability to do Maths, but a couple of years ago I had to work out when someone needed an appointment and I was counting on my fingers because I can’t do it in my head. They actually laughed at me and said “oh you have to use your fingers for that!” 😞

Oh yes. At least I am past the age where you get the tutting about what they are teaching kids these days.

This chap beat his maths demons at age 65:
metro.co.uk/2023/04/03/i-left-college-unable-to-do-basic-maths-i-went-back-and-learned-how-at-65-18529519/amp/

Absolutely not too old.

You have dyscalculia and were most likely taught maths in a way that didn't account for that.

If you know taught in a way that recognises your dyscalculia, you should start to enjoy maths.

Absolutely not too old.

F I am 48 and determined to beat this. I have had a small break but I have been going through maths genie, old exam papers, Corbett maths and got myself the edexcel work book and just going through and learning in my own time. Actually enjoying it too says one who got a big fat F all those years ago. At work the apprentices have inspired me so I am going to teach myself then when I feel a bit more confident will try for Functional skills level 1 then 2 then ultimately gcse maths. It may take me until I am 60 but I will. OP good luck on your journey and I hope you go for it. Small steps is key I think. And thank you as you have given me the kick to do some this afternoon.

That's pretty inspiring. Doing it at my own pace is a good idea rather than facing classes.

Are you still alive? Then it's not too late! There are so many resources out there to help adults improve their maths skills. Even Duolingo has a maths course now. A lot of it is confidence - if you think that you can't do it, then chances are you can't. If you can change your mindset to 'I can do this, I just have to work my way through it and check my answer', then you CAN do it.

You may find some practical advice here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Mature Study and Retraining board

I was always really academic, and school and uni was a breeze. I aced every exam, including every maths test.

I'm not exaggerating when I say I now can't add up the most basic sums. I was telling DH how much weight I have on my barbell at the gym and was trying to do 1.25 + 2.5 x 2. I literally couldn't figure out the answer.

So 50 isnt too old to get on top of it, but I just wanted to share that I think modern life makes us all a bit crap at maths if you don't constantly work at it.

Also to add OP I will always count on my fingers on occasion and always will if it helps me get to the answer I am looking for. Also I think doing a little bit everyday if you can but taking the pressure off yourself to do it when you want. That’s I am trying anyway

I excelled all the way through school but was rubbish at Maths.
At one point I attended a strict primary school. I'll never forget the 'trapped' feeling I had, at the sight of the open squared paper exercise book. And taking my time over the date and title as I didn't know how to do what followed.
English, on the other hand, gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling!
Words rock, numbers suck.

Numbers are not my friend - & I tend to switch off . Eng Lit - I'm your girl . I think if it would make you feel better then do it. & I admire you for wanting to give it a go.

I can’t do maths and I feel I’m old enough to not have to. If I’m in a situation where I need it I just ask the other person to figure it out and tell me, I don’t even pretend. I seem to lack any concept of money past $60. Like $60 is expensive for something and $120 is also expensive but my brain doesn’t register that one is twice as much as the other. I would like to learn another language though, and feel I’d rather use my limited brain cells for that purpose.

I re-did my maths GCSEs when I was in my early 40s, when Learn Direct was on the go! My English was absolutely spot on, but maths totally failed me at school! I failed my nursing entrance exam by 2 points due to not being good at fractions! Even though my boyfriend at the time, had taught me! I thought I'd got it, but clearly hadn't got all of it!
Go for it OP I'm sure there are places that do free courses? When I went, it was a mix of people of all ages and nothing to be ashamed about at all.
It's a real achievement and now I'm a lot more confident about maths!

@ObelixtheGaul do you mean maths or arithmetic?

@RosesAndHellebores it's the arithmetic, but the mathematics wasn't too great either. Algebra as a concept I do not understand. Trigonometry wasn't much better. I kind of sat at the back of the class having no idea, to be honest, once we got beyond the absolute basics.

I have tried twice to do functional maths, had to quit

I just cannot do it, do not know my times tables, cannot add up 🙄

Great website" Pass functional skills" it's free has different levels, explanations, videos, worksheet, answers and videos if you got it wrong but don't know why. I use it to teach apprenticeship functional skills maths, in FE.
Also ATM my oldest learner is 63😊 Keep going be positive you can do this💕

That's my fear, to be honest. To have to face the bafflement again. I am still haunted by the looks on my teachers' faces as I failed to grasp the simplest procedure.
They gave up in the end. My mother asked if I could have tutoring before the exams. My teacher told her as kindly as he could that there was no point. I wouldn't pass, it would be a waste of her money and his time.

Thank you, that's very helpful.

@ObelixtheGaul then I think I'd focus on the arithmetic. It's all about the number bonds and times tables. I suspect if you are 50ish that you suffered from the lack of rigor in the 70s when teaching the basics went off piste.

My math teacher husband has tutored older students than you with great success. Never too old. Go for it.

Well done. I have got my eye out for free courses.

As a positive for the much-beleaguered state education today, I do think it's better now.

I work for an adult learning team, and we get lots of people who come to us with a negative experience of maths. I have an amazing maths tutor who is fun, down to earth and gets great results. It might be a good idea to check out your local centre, they are often located in the library. There is also something called multiply funding available at the moment that means you can be given maths teaching 1 to 1, to prepare you for maths qualifications, or just brush up on your maths skills 🙂.