I've noticed a reoccurring pattern with things in life lately. In general when it comes to math or playing certain games. You have to take it back to the basics. Like in pool they tell you to use the diamonds on the table to line up your shot. With numbers you basicly take everything down to adding and subtracting. Thats all multiplication is. Its just a faster way to add. Also writing is another one. If you want to come across as intelligent you should know how to add paragraphs and not use run on sentences. Hard to do on a phone. I was just wondering has anyone else noticed other things. Where you just use the basics in a different way to get a different result? How offen do you find yourself doing these things?

In dance, I learned there is a concept of root movement.

You can take one figure that appears very complexed , and find maybe 3 or even 4 simple root movements which created that complex figure.

I worked my life as a truck mechanic.
One thing I learned in training is basic applied physics and understanding basic repair principles.

As technology introduced computer controls in trucks many old-timer mechanics had a lot of difficulty because they didn't understand basic computing.

As the top technician in my shop, I was often tasked in training the newbies and the old-crows. The newbies had to learn the fundamental physics and repair principals because they were trained in the new computer diagnostics. The Oldies needed to learn the basics of computer diagnostics as they could understand it.

One of the tasks I set up during the OJT sessions was to put an newbie with an oldie and let each show the other how to fix trucks.
I bounced around the shop and helped when problems arose.

When I look at my grandson's New Math, I just scratch my head. I can solve the problems correctly the 'old' way and quite quickly but I get "No Grampa, you can't do it that way - you have to do it this way!"
I realized that I didn't need to know new math to help with their homework. I just needed to let them 'Show' me the right way to do it so they learned by teaching me.

As a person, I am organized. I have a knack for cutting out unneeded steps from routines. I uncomplicate things. Most of the time, I don't even realize my streamlining efforts.

When you master the basics of anything and fully understand what you are doing, you can do just about anything.