---
title: The Importance Of Understanding Math
date: 2025-10-06T00:00:00
author: Charlie M.
category: SIGNAL
---
It’s funny how sunlight slants through my window in the morning, hitting my face like an unexpected wake-up call. It's not even about the sun really, but how it gets me thinking about things... like math, of all things. Math and mornings shouldn’t mix, maybe, but my brain decides otherwise. Strange connection, right? I dunno, but it's like, why is math even important? I used to wonder this a lot, especially in those first-thing-in-the-morning, half-asleep moments.
Like, scrolling Instagram when I should be working out, and there’s this influencer talking about investing. They’re throwing around percentages and rates and something about compound interest. I kinda get it but also don’t. I remember trying to understand it once, reading an article – or like, part of it – about how math is this universal language. They quoted some study claiming a pretty high percentage – maybe around 80%? – of CEOs have math-heavy backgrounds. But then I’m thinking, half of them probably don’t even touch math, right? They just have people for that.
But I guess it’s not just about the maths for CEOs; it’s... I dunno, maybe it’s about something else. Like, patterns or problem solving? I remember deleting a budgeting app once because I couldn’t face the numbers. The red negative sign was like this relentless red flag. Made me feel like admitting I was bad with money, and math, might mean I’m bad at life. Pretty dramatic, huh? But I can’t help it. How much of understanding math is really important, and how much is just pressure?
I vaguely remember this TED talk... I think it was about the brain, neuroplasticity or something. It said, learning math actually rewires your brain. Makes sense – if things like that can connect neurons or whatever. But does it really? I keep thinking math makes me feel more lost sometimes, like, am I even doing this right? I try learning a new concept, and it’s like, just when I think I’ve got it, I realize I’ve skipped a step back somewhere. Is it memory or just the usual fog of daily life seeping in? Hard to tell.
And then there’s the day-to-day stuff: calculating tips, discounts on clearance racks, or even splitting the bill. Basic stuff really. But those everyday numbers, they make me feel more connected, like math has quietly infiltrated my life. So, maybe it’s not about high-level calculus but just... the basics. Somewhere in there, it’s like math is quietly anchoring the chaos of everyday uncertainty. Or is it making it worse? I can't quite decide.
The thing is, with all my questioning, do I really need to feel guilty for not doing complex equations daily? I have no idea. There’s some comfort in numbers, their predictability, but there's also a rebellion in admitting: I don’t know. Maybe next time, the sun will hit differently and, who knows, maybe I’ll feel a little less math guilt. Or maybe I'll just hit snooze again.