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Even in fields that are not usually thought of as being math intensive, not having good control of basic arithmetic is a serious handicap.

When I retired I decided to pursue an AA degree in fine art at our local community college. ( I have a doctorate in a health field.) It’s been a very interesting experience.

Last Tuesday, a project was due in my Design class. This course is fundamental for those who wish to be graphic designers. One woman brought in a project that was in not even close to the specifications for size. During the break I found her in a puddle of tears in the hallway. She sobbed that she did not know how to measure, never learned to use a ruler or tape measure, fractions and decimals were a mystery, and... ( what?) millimeters and centimeters? What are they? Measuring 1.5 inches from the top was impossible for her.

This young woman wants to be a graphic designer. There is NO possible way that this is achievable unless she has a complete re-education in basic arithmetic. She will accumulate a lot of debt on a fruitless quest, but the school will get their money.

Two weeks ago, one of the other artists ( age 29) with whom I share studio space, could not figure out how to transfer a photo image by making an enlarged drawing of it on a large canvas. (”Wintertime! Help!”) I had the problem solved in about 10 minutes using ratio and proportion and a scale factor. Factions and decimals are also a mystery to this young woman.

Last year, in a private art school, the assistant to the master artist needed to make a canvas covered panel. To support the panel there was a wood frame underneath the MDF panel. The assistant’s problem was drill a recessed screw into the front of the MDF panel into the supporting boards underneath. Again. She was not able to do the simple division of factions needed to find the middle of the supporting boards so she could drill the hole.