Are You Just “Bad at Math”? Science Says It Might Be in Your Nature—But That’s Not the Whole Story
Still struggling through college algebra and wondering if you’re just naturally bad at math? According to modern research, you might not be wrong—but that’s only part of the equation.
A landmark study by cognitive scientists at Johns Hopkins University first explored the idea that our ability to do math may be influenced by an innate skill called “number sense” — scientifically known as the Approximate Number System (ANS). This intuitive ability allows both humans and animals to make quick estimations without formal counting — like estimating how many people are in a crowded room, or how many slices of pizza are left.
But what’s really interesting is what the researchers found when they tested preschoolers — children who hadn’t yet received any formal math instruction. Why preschoolers? Because it allowed researchers to isolate the effect of innate number sense before cultural or educational factors could shape math skills.
The experiment had two phases:
- In one, children were shown quick flashes of blue and yellow dots and had to decide which color had more — a classic way to measure raw number sense.
- In the second phase, the same kids took standardized tests measuring basic math skills: counting, number recognition, simple addition and subtraction, and other foundational tasks.
The surprising result?
Kids with better number sense also scored higher on the formal math tests. And this held true even when general intelligence was accounted for.
So what does this mean for the rest of us—especially those sweating through algebra and calculus?
According to researchers, the study suggests that a natural sense for quantities may give some students a head start in math. But they’re quick to add: that’s just the beginning. Math is still a skill, and like any other, it’s built over time through instruction, effort, and practice.
In fact, follow-up studies have emphasized that number sense can be trained and improved. Educational games, visual learning techniques, and consistent practice can sharpen your approximation abilities and reinforce mathematical thinking — at any age.
The Takeaway?
If you’re struggling in math, don’t assume it’s just because you’re not a “math person.” While some people may start out with a stronger intuitive sense of numbers, success in math is far more tied to study habits, motivation, and practicethan any inborn ability.
In other words, talent might open the door, but effort walks you through it.
So yes, you may have to put down the game controller, close TikTok for a bit, and actually do the homework. But with the right mindset and consistent work, even those who aren’t born math prodigies can master the subject.
Your brain can adapt — and that’s a fact backed by science.