Mathematics is usually taught as rote. Many, even at higher levels of academia, never realize that mathematics is a language. Truth be told, I'm not sure most are cut out to fully grasp much beyond rote.

I hated math. I hated it, with a passion. I was figuring out what area of right triangles was, when the teacher spoke from behind me. He said, "You know, you're just squaring the triangles and dividing that in half."

I realize how trivial and silly that is. But, it was that step that made me realize that the notation was telling me something. I realized that it was a language, one which I didn't understand and still hated.

I'd eventually get my Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, all because I learned you could square a triangle, find the area of that, and divide it in half. I'm not sure how many folks can point to the exact moment their life changed? I can, and I am glad.

I don't know the solution, because math really can be hard. Not many folks want to learn that much. I am reluctant to say this, but maybe they don't really need to?