Becoming a math nerd?

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Is it possible to become a math nerd when you are in your 20's? I am naturally good at writing, but I absolutely hate it. However, I have not had any good math teachers (prior to this semester) and so I always thought I hated math. However, now that I am learning more things and actually having a pretty good idea of what to do, I am starting to like it-- I like things like the fact that there is only one right answer, that you can check your answer to find out whether you did it right or not etc. So my question is, is it too late for me to really get/ understand math and become as good at math as I am at writing?

No, it is not too late to become good at math.

btbnnyr: What are some suggestions that you might have?

Of course it is not too late.

You say you hate writing, but I believe that writing is an important skill in mathematics, which to me is a language by itself. It allows us to express ourselves in a very precise way, without ambiguity. In that sense it is indeed quite unlike "natural" languages, and this is probably why you started enjoying it.

What kind of mathematics have you been studying lately? What level? Any problems that you like more than others? It is a large field, with connections to the sciences as well as the humanities. Nice that you started to enjoy it.

Sweet Tooth: Maybe I should elaborate.. I hate writing because a) no one cares what I think/ write about b) one person could say I write awesomely and another could say I write horribly-- it's too subjective for me c) There are many writers who write better than I could ever possibly imagine, so what's the point of wasting my time when no one will read what I write, or even if they do, they probably won't care what I think. I don't know-- I can easily express my thoughts in words but I think writing (for classes, essays, etc) is a complete waste of time. I am currently in a Pre-Calc class at my uni. We are going over factoring (which I really like) but I am finding that I have many holes in my math background- for example, I was not even aware that you are usually suppose to add exponents in problems and that the only time you multiply them is when you take a power to another power. Like, I said, I have many holes that need filled (again, because I had a crap math teacher in high school). However, now I have a great math teacher and I am finding that I really like that a) there is always one right answer b) my answer can always be plugged back into the original problem to check it c) It has definitive rules and is incredibly stable. Maybe math is my new stim? Lol.

Often I write just for myself. I don't care what other people think about it (or if they care at all). Maybe you should care less, too? And sure, there are better writers. Whatever you decide to do, there will always be someone who can do it better. I'm a mathematician, but I'm pretty sure the Fields medal is not for me. Still, I do mathematics, just because I enjoy it.

For what it is worth, I would recommend that after your pre-calculus class, you proceed with calculus and maybe some linear algebra. (In certain cases, this might come in one package.) After that, I would look for a course that reads like "An introduction to proofs" or "An introduction to higher mathematics" or something similar. FInd one course that introduces you to basic logic, sets, functions, relations, cardinality and perhaps some combinatorics and see how you feel about it. It may be challenging, but be persistent. if math is your cup of tea, you will like it and feel satisfied.

I suggest you review algebra and geometry to fill the holes from high school, then move on to calculus, which is verry merry berry fun.