Page 200 - A Mind For Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science

hemisphere interprets the world for us—and will go to great lengths to keep
those interpretations unchanging. 7
When you work in focused mode, it is easy to make minor mistakes in your
assumptions or calculations. If you go off track early on, it doesn’t matter if the
rest of your work is correct—your answer is still wrong. Sometimes it’s even
laughably wrong—the equivalent of calculating a circumference of the earth that
1
is only 2 / feet around. Yet these nonsensical results just don’t matter to you,
2
because the more left-centered focused mode has associated with it a desire to
cling to what you’ve done.
That’s the problem with the focused, left-hemisphere-leaning mode of

analysis. It provides for an analytical and upbeat approach. But abundant
research evidence suggests that there is a potential for rigidity, dogmatism, and
egocentricity.
When you are absolutely certain that what you’ve done on a homework or
test is fine—thank you very much—be aware that this feeling may be based on
overly confident perspectives arising in part from the left hemisphere. When you
step back and recheck, you are allowing for more interaction between

hemispheres—taking advantage of the special perspectives and abilities of each.
People who haven’t felt comfortable with math often fall into the trap of
“equation sheet bingo.” They desperately try to find a pattern in what the teacher
or book did and fit their equations to that pattern. Good learners vet their work to
ensure that it makes sense. They ask themselves what the equations mean and
where they come from.

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to
fool.” 8
—Physicist Richard Feynman, advising how to avoid pseudo-science that
masquerades as science

The Value of Brainstorming with Others

Niels Bohr was heavily involved in the Manhattan Project—the U.S. race during
World War II to build the nuclear bomb before the Nazis. He was also one of the