Why many actors may be bad at math...

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 6/17/04 at 8:52pm

So, it's sort of a running gag that actors suck at math right? I've always just accepted that I'm "math-stupid" and that my puny brain, although excellant in Language Arts, can't comprehend calculations. Well, I just recently found out that my condition is actually a learning disorder called dyscalculia. The best way I can describe it is as dyslexia in math.
Here's one of the hundreds of links you can look at for more information:
http://www.dyscalculia.orghttp://www.dyscalculia.org>http://www.dyscalculia.org

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 6/17/04 at 9:17pm

I really am bad at math lol. I have a learning disorder called a complex auditory disorder. Basically means if you give me alot of verbal "steps" to do I can't remember them or any order they were in. I got fired form bieng a librarian once becasue I couldnt figure out the decimal system and of course they said "ahhh actors" :P

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 6/17/04 at 11:59pm

How funny. When I took the ACT in high school, my math scores were abysmal. Your percentiles are supposed to overlap in some weird manner (all the bars showing your ranking should line up together somehow)...the other three areas were fine and I entered college in honors everything...and remedial math.
How embarrassing. Thank god I sing, I guess.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 6/18/04 at 12:03am

Hmmm.
I have a sort of mild dyslexia that's worse when it comes to numbers.
I wonder if this is what I really have...

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/18/04 at 1:13am

broadwaystar2b, I know how you feel. I was diagnosed with this in 10th grade after 2 years of trying to get through simple Algebra 1. It's very frustrating and a lot of teachers don't recognize it and just assume their students are lazy and not paying attention. It's very hard to explain what it's like sitting there staring at those books and just not having any clue as to what you're looking at.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 6/18/04 at 1:33am

i am one of the performing arts types who cant do math too. i hope my school will understand that (nyu addmissions sure as hell didn't- LOL... LOL in a sort of sad way that is )

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/18/04 at 3:03am

I have mild dyslexia as well. I was diagnosed in third grade. But, I never really let it stop me. Of course, I excelled in language, history and arts, but math? Forget it. It took me three years to figure out basic algebra, but once I finally got it ... it was cool. Once they start putting three or four variables into the equation I'm completely lost, but I did master simple one or two variable algebra, so I'm happy about that. Once I got it down to "what do I have to do to get the variable by itself?" / "I have to get rid of..." it was easy. It's graphing that I can't stand!

[broadway geek]

Posted: 6/18/04 at 10:52pm

That's why I'm not good at acting! I am actually quite good at math but am a little less talented in the language arts. Funny how I am atracted to theater I guess.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 6/19/04 at 12:46pm

I have a theory that people who can pick up dance moves quickly are also really good at math. Just my own idea.

Does this mean I'm a good actor??? YAY!

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 6/19/04 at 12:51pm

Sorry honey.
I'm afraid I prove that theory wrong.
I pick up dance moves faster than the average bear, but my math skills aren't so great.
I was very close to failing my Calc 2 class a couple years back.
Gives me the willies just thinkng about it.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/19/04 at 1:06pm

I ALWAYS hated mathh and science in school. I was in Honors/AP English and History, but when I walked into Math and Science, I always felt dumb. I am SO thankful for the chemistry teacher I had in High School. She was a wonderful person and a fantastic teacher. she was the first person who actually helped me "get it". I made it through her entire class witout ever feeling dumb or like I shouldn't be there.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 6/19/04 at 1:19pm

I used to be really serious about ballet and would pick up the dance steps really fast because it's more of a visual thing for me. Guess it's different for different people.