Outliers Lesson Plan

How does the difference between Asian number systems and Western number systems affect our attitudes towards math? Is being good at math simply a result of how smart we are, or are there other explanations?

The Asian number system is much more logical and clearly patterned than Western number systems, which seem arbitrary and complicated in comparison. Disenchantment with mathematics among Western children is perhaps due to the fact that math doesn’t seem to make sense.

Asian children, on the other hand, don’t feel that confusion. They can remember more numbers and do calculations faster. Their attitude towards math is better because it’s easier for them and they enjoy it...