Different Based Math

I don't think it's a matter of learning math in one base or another. I learned everything in base 10 like everyone else, but I'm very proficient at working with numbers in different bases. It's just mental math skills, something I am lucky to have. I remember learning these conversion tricks in my CS class in high school to solve problems like 153(base 16) * 82 (base16) where they'd tell us to convert to base 10, multiply, and convert back,

Well you see... that's why I was wondering. Because *most* people I hear of working with different based math will need some form of conversion, and that's not effectively using it.

while I'd simply multiply everything in base 16.

That's very interesting. However, since I'll compare base16 math to a second language, would you say you calculate in base16 with the same speed as you can handle base10 math or would you say your base16 math is slower, if not a lot, slightly.

As far as being a mathematical genius, being good at basic arithmetic doesn't stop me from failing miserably at Calculus and Linear Algebra. Math isn't my thing at all.

So are you just confused at Calculus and Linear Algebra or did learning two different bases screw you up a bit?