Can we think without language?

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Math has always been easy to me as long as I can see it my mind one of the reasons I prefer physics to math. proofs not my thing.

How do you "see" math ?

 

[Crossbreed]

...proofs not my thing.

For me, proofs (in high school) had the same feel as programming.

 

[Crossbreed]

How do you "see" math ?

1D (a.k.a. number lines), 2D & 3D spaces are common versions.
Others (not me*) can visualize in 4D+.

*Time might be an exception.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

For programming and electronics, I visualize block diagrams. The latter ultimately led me to the faulty component(s).

It is like having Legos in your head.
In electronics, you have to get physical components to realize your vision.
In programming, you have an unlimited supply of commands that you can repeat, as often as needed.

In college I noticed organic chemistry was easy like you said legos. Had one teacher one test twenty people in class
every one in class failed test but five people I had second highest mark 85. Still remember Grignard reaction. even beat my best friend by one mark. Still a sore point with him.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

1D (a.k.a. number lines), 2D & 3D spaces are common versions.

Currently trying to see in four dimensions, As I am pretty sure this is the real universe.

 

[Crossbreed]

FYI, I use 3D visualization when I do figure drawing without a physical model, but having a physical model (a lay figure*) gives me more consistency.

*See my Flickr site.

 

[AuAL]

1D (a.k.a. number lines), 2D & 3D spaces are common versions.
Others (not me*) can visualize in 4D+.

*Time might be an exception.

I visualise some algorithm behaviour in 3D mental images and “movies” and then just extrapolate the equations/code into the required number of dimensions. There are some visual methods to analyse relationships in higher dimensional data - in current projects we’re trying to see patterns in over-50-dimensional data sets that are changing through time. My constant refrain to grad students is “show me the data”, because columns of numbers tell me very little.

 

[Outsider]

When I read books and scientific articles I don't think in words for obvious reason - I have to concentrate on the material in front of me instead of talking to myself. When I write an article or a book I use the language for the purpose of presenting information. When I talk I use the language like anyone else. That covers all situations that I have encountered so far. Maybe, some people have encountered different situations, but I cannot speak for them.