Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
3
↓
Maths and Blindness (self.Blind)
submitted by BrillboBagkings
I am doing a project on maths in braille; learning about the Nemeth code is interesting but I'd really like to know how blind people think about maths. I'm certain this hard to answer, but do you 'picture' the feel of the numbers when you think about them? Is it just as easy to understand fractions? Also is there any note taking possible during a question? Do you think not having sight allows you to better hold numbers or expressions in your head?
fastfinge 3 points 6y ago
The real problem for blind people in math is graphs. Once you get past calculus, almost everything becomes a graph/visualization.
BrillboBagkings [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Thanks for the comment have you ever used a raised line drawing kit? And if so, did it help? And if possible could you try to explain how you think about numbers? And perhaps how you think about fractions?
fastfinge 1 points 6y ago
> have you ever used a raised line drawing kit?
In university level math? No. It wouldn't help.
> how you think about numbers?
I don't understand what you're trying to find out here. I also don't know enough about how sighted people think about numbers to compare. Also, the way we think about numbers is extremely context dependant, both for sighted and blind people. I think about measurements of distance differently than I think about money or weights or volume.
In university level math? No. It wouldn't help.
> how you think about numbers?
I don't understand what you're trying to find out here. I also don't know enough about how sighted people think about numbers to compare. Also, the way we think about numbers is extremely context dependant, both for sighted and blind people. I think about measurements of distance differently than I think about money or weights or volume.
BrillboBagkings [OP] 2 points 6y ago
When I think about a simple sum, I can see the numbers in my head. It's not the only consideration or understanding of the number I have but it's there. If I think about 5 plus 7 I can see it in my head spelled out as the figures. I was wondering whether you have a mental feel/touch of the numbers. Obviously it's a particularly difficult thing to talk about and tough to word. Have you a particular aptitude for pure maths as it veers away from the visual?
fastfinge 2 points 6y ago
> you have a mental feel/touch of the numbers.
No, not at all.
> particular aptitude for pure maths as it veers away from the visual?
I...don't think so. However, math is almost exclusively taught visually beyond a certain point, so it's hard to tell. Only recently are $1 starting to try and do work in data sonification, to provide us with ways of interpreting data that match what sighted people have.
No, not at all.
> particular aptitude for pure maths as it veers away from the visual?
I...don't think so. However, math is almost exclusively taught visually beyond a certain point, so it's hard to tell. Only recently are $1 starting to try and do work in data sonification, to provide us with ways of interpreting data that match what sighted people have.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.